Richmond has “significant room for improvement” in attack, according to coach Damien Hardwick as they look to defend their 2017 premiership.

The Tigers are eyeing a dangerous two-pronged offense with skipper Trent Cotchin and superstar Dustin Martin in 2018, that could create headaches for opposition teams.

Hardwick considered playing the duo together up forward ahead of last season, but ultimately kept his skipper in the midfield. Cotchin turned in arguably his best season, adding a harder, defensive edge to his game.

The reigning premiers must improve their attack, which ranked seventh in the competition last year, if they are to go back-to-back in 2018.

"We have spoken about that. Trent, like Dustin, is an incredible talent one-on-one and he can win those contests he shouldn't win," Hardwick told AFL.com.au.

"We haven't been able to push him deep enough at various stages, but we've toyed this year with whether we can have Martin and Cotchin both deep at stages.

"Dustin probably took the majority of that time deep forward last year, but we'd really love to see Trent improving that part of his game.

"We've got to give him the opportunity to do that, but the hard thing for me is I love him around the middle, at the coalface, because he's so good."

Richmond featured an unconventional forward line last year that became known as the ‘mosquito fleet’, surrounding spearhead Jack Riewoldt with small forwards. It created boundless pressure and scoring opportunities.

However, it was their contested ball and defence that made them a premiership side, and Hardwick is weary of how important it is that they maintain their grit.

"We weren't the best team in season 2017. There were other sides that played a more consistent year, but our last six or seven weeks were pretty special," the coach said.

"[That's when] our offence started to click in a little bit more, but we only really saw that for six or seven weeks. I still think there's a significant area for improvement in that.

"In saying that, our defensive method and contested method are what make us who we are, and they are what our coaches will still be putting their time and effort into, while still coaching the offensive part of our game."

Hardwick said his players have moved on quickly from their premiership, with the club’s leaders using the first day of the pre-season to re-establish their brand and focusses.

"Our defensive mindset and our ability to close down the opposition is that hunter's mindset and that's something we bring week in, week out. It's not reliant on the opposition at all.

"That's why I'm very confident that our players are in the right mindset to what we do."