RICHMOND will make finals next year and captain Trent Cotchin will continue to lead the side, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick says.

The 13th-placed Tigers have endured a disappointing season and are yet to win a final under Hardwick since he assumed the coaching reigns in 2010.

Despite being handed their third successive elimination final defeat last year, expectations were high for the Tigers to again challenge for a finals berth.

Hardwick said he expected the club to qualify for September action in 2017.

"I personally think it'll be a quick bounce. I think we'll be back in finals next year," Hardwick told 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 has coached the club in 155 games for 74 wins, 79 losses and two draws.

Richmond's last finals win came in the 2001 semi-final over Carlton.

Meanwhile, Hardwick was emphatic when asked if Cotchin would remain in his captaincy role beyond this season: "Absolutely, no question."

The Tigers' coach also reaffirmed his support for out-of-contract key forward Ty Vickery, whose performances – like Cotchin's – have at times come under scrutiny. 

"Ty, to me, is an important player. When he plays well we generally win," Hardwick said.

"He didn't have a great game on the weekend (against Geelong) but I stand by Ty.

"Long-term he's part of a forward line that I think we need him in the side to play good footy."

Vickery, who is a restricted free agent, has appeared in 17 games this season and registered 26 goals.