Richmond, fresh off a spirited 41-point win over West Coast followed by a bye, are ninth on the ladder, four points ahead of the 10th-placed Crows who have a game in hand.
On Wednesday, Sanderson said the clash at the MCG was one "we just can't lose" and urged his players to "fight to the death".
Hardwick said it would be his players' responsibility to ensure they maintained the four-quarter effort they put in against the Eagles and that they weren't afraid of the challenges ahead.
"I think most clubs are the same week in, week out. We're no different," Hardwick said.
"A result we're looking for is a win for our football club and Brenton is no different with regard to Adelaide.
"Realistically, it's up to your playing group. As a coaching group, we can sit there and we think we have all the answers but the players control the destiny of the football club.
"The players are aware of that, they play a controlled brand of footy that offensively can get us up and going.
"We don't think we fear anyone in the competition."
Brandon Ellis, who last played in round eight, will return from a hamstring injury while Reece Conca is fit to be selected after a foot injury which has kept him out since round four.
The pair trained over the bye weekend with Conca playing in the VFL the weekend before.
Shane Edwards, who was poked in the eye against the Eagles, will also play and Hardwick indicated Aaron Edwards would retain his spot with the Tigers pleased with the way he worked with Jack Riewoldt and Ty Vickery two weeks ago.
"We were really pleased with Aaron's effort; defensively we thought he was as good as he's been since his time at the club and offensively he contributed as well," he said.
"We only think he's going to get better. He's learning our system; it's probably the first time he's played at AFL speed for a period of time so we think he's going to be better for the run.
"He certainly gives us a different avenue to goal as compared to Jack and Ty so we're really pleased with what he's brought."
The Crows were smashed by 77 points by the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium last Saturday, which Hardwick said was not a reflection of a team that finished in the top four last year.
"I don't think I've seen a side play as well as what Sydney did," he said.
"We spoke to our players about Adelaide both Tuesday and today, just about how every side is entitled to have a bad game and Adelaide are a better side than that.
"They'll come out and they'll play a better brand of football and be more physical as Brenton said this week.
"We're under no illusions that we're going to have our hands full come Saturday afternoon."
Hardwick said Dylan Grimes, who has been out since round six with a foot injury, had "further progressed".
He also said the players had benefited physically and mentally from their bye and wasn't concerned about them losing momentum after a week off.
Jennifer Phelan is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenPhelan.
