RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick wants his players to embrace the excitement of playing finals next weekend and take on the challenge of a "new season" now the home-and-away games are over.
The Tigers are in the eight and will likely face Carlton next Sunday afternoon in a blockbuster elimination final at the MCG.
It will be the first time Richmond has played finals since 2001. It will also be the first time any of the current players have run out in a final for the Tigers.
Hardwick said the players would be encouraged to embrace the hype of the week ahead and to take hold of the long-awaited opportunity.
"We do [encourage them] because you never know when you're going to be back," Hardwick said after the Tigers' 39-point win over Essendon on Saturday night.
"You look at our side and 2001 was the last time we appeared; do you think they thought it was going to be 12 or 13 years before they got back? You'd hope not.
"You've just got to make the most of your opportunities because they don't come around that often.
"We've had a good season but a new one starts."
Hardwick said he wouldn't put a ceiling on how far the Tigers could track into their first finals foray in 12 years.
He said it was now about taking on the likely challenge of Carlton – a team that beat them by 10 points just two weeks ago – and ensure the feeling of playing finals became the norm.
"We spoke in our meeting that one season is finished, 15-7, great result, and another season starts," he said.
"That's the feeling we want at our footy club.
"We need to maintain that our standards are now to drive through this finals season; wherever that takes us will be."
The Tigers will regain Shane Edwards from suspension and expect to have Jack Riewoldt (back/knee) and Chris Newman (ankle) available next week.
They also believe Matt White will be OK to play after being subbed off at half-time with back tightness.
Hardwick said he wasn't worried about a lack of finals experience with only five players on the Tigers' list (one of which is Chris Knights, who is out with a knee injury) to have played in them.
"The ground stays the same, the ball stays the same … it's going to be a big crowd, there's no doubt about it," he said.
"Richmond v Carlton, it's going to be an enormous crowd, a great feeling.
"It will be a great build up to the week and we've got to deliver when it matters."
He said he was happy with the way his players approached Saturday night's dead rubber against the Bombers, and the way they picked up their physicality and intensity after a scratchy first half.
He also praised the performance of Ty Vickery, who benefited from being moved into the play in the second half, and Aaron Edwards, who continues to keep Luke McGuane out of the side.
