MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Tigers head coach Damien Hardwick celebrates the win with Dustin Martin of the Tigers during the round 20 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 5, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick believes his side will bounce back quickly after a poor 2016 and will play finals again next year.

Big things were expected from the Tigers this season, after Hardwick lead his side to three consecutive finals appearances from 2013-15.

However, after 21 rounds, Richmond have just eight wins and sit in 13th spot on the ladder.

But Hardwick is confident his players will improve next season.

"I personally think it'll be a quick bounce. I think we'll be back in finals next year," Hardwick said on Fox Footy on Monday night.

"I'd be disappointed if we're not in finals next year.

"Winning finals is the thing we're about. We haven't been successful thus far … but (with) the potential I see and the players we've got, (if) we get all our personnel on (the) track, we're going to be playing finals next year."

Hardwick is contracted until the end of 2017 and club president Peggy O'Neal has publicly backed the under siege coach.

He has coached the Tigers to 74 wins, 79 losses  and two draws since taking over the role in 2010.

[polldaddy poll=9498185]

Comments are closed.