WHEREVER Buddy roams, Richmond is ready.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick has the utmost confidence that his trio of key defenders can handle Sydney star Lance Franklin in Saturday's massive clash. 

Franklin has kicked 35 goals this season and shares the Coleman Medal lead with Greater Western Sydney forward Jeremy Cameron. 

While the media is pumping up a Franklin versus Alex Rance duel, Hardwick said it was more complicated than that. 

"I will back any of our key defenders versus Buddy - Dave Astbury is in terrific form, as is Dylan Grimes," Hardwick said.

"All three of those guys are really putting their hands up to getting Buddy at any stage.

"The thing about Buddy is he plays deep, he can play up the ground, so we feel we have the match-ups to force their hand a little bit.

"But in saying that, if the supply comes in without pressure, they're going to kick some goals."

Franklin booted seven goals when the two sides clashed in round 23 last season and Hardwick noted that was ancient history.

Richmond was limping to the end of a disappointing season and Sydney was surging to a Grand Final berth.

Hardwick was also unsure who had enjoyed the better of the Franklin v Rance battles, given the Sydney star can play deep or have a more mobile role.

But if it came down to a one-on-one duel, the Tigers' coach was backing his man.

"What I do know is Alex is a fantastic player, in career-best form again, a three-time All-Australian," Hardwick said.

"I'm prepared to back in my guy every day of the week."

The last time Sydney played at the MCG was their lowest ebb of the season - a shock round-six loss to Carlton.

Since then, they have won four out of five games.

Richmond have also broken a four-game losing streak with two wins and are in the top four.

"They're a completely different side - personnel is a big one for that," Hardwick said of Sydney.

"They were on their knees for injury at the start of the year.

"You completely disregard the first six weeks of the season." 

While Sydney and Richmond are in smoking-hot form, Hardwick's Wednesday media call was to spruik the anti-smoking message as part of the AFL Coaches + Chemist Warehouse Men's Health Week quit smoking campaign.

Asked when he last had a puff, Hardwick said "maybe the Middle Hotel, 1985".