The Swans have won three and lost two games at their home ground this season and face a tough task against an in-form Richmond, who have won four games on the bounce.

"All I know is they're a really good side that if we allow them to play their way and control the footy, we're going to be in an enormous amount of trouble," Hardwick told reporters.

"They gave us an incredible touch-up here round three last year at the G and we allowed them to play their game.

"When they use the ball really, really well they're damaging, they get forward, they've got some really damaging forwards up there as well.

"So to me, they're a really good, well-drilled, well-coached footy side that is incredibly hard to beat on their home patch."

Hardwick is confident though Richmond's game style can stack up on the different SCG dimensions.

"I hope so (it suits us). It is a challenging ground. It's a little bit wider and a little bit shorter," he said.

"We spoke about it at match committee and end of the day, our training ground is relatively similar in size so we're used to that patch of grass.

"So we'll work our way through it and with good pressure, good contest work, we should be okay."

Richmond and Sydney are both sitting at 6-4 ahead of Friday's game, with the Tigers looking to cover the losses of Tom Lynch (hamstring) and Kane Lambert (hip) and further strengthen their position.

"This is a really important game for us and our footy club, especially going into the bye," Hardwick said.

"Everyone wants to win going into the bye, they want to have a nice enjoyable, six or seven days' break.

"But what we do know is playing away versus a Sydney side that haven't been quite at their best the last three to four weeks is going to be a tough ask.

"But we're up to the challenge and we'll just put our best foot forward and hopefully get the result."

Australian Associated Press