RICHMOND president Peggy O'Neal has thrown her full support behind embattled coach Damien Hardwick.

 

The Tigers' win-loss record of 2-6 has the club’s finals ambitions up in smoke but O'Neal said a change at the top would be a backward step.

 

"If you just keep changing directions you're always just starting all over," O'Neal told Fairfax Media.

 

This week, Richmond's board met to discuss its disappointing start to the year.

 

While acknowledging the club's on-field performances had "gone backwards", the board came away with the confidence Hardwick and his staff were the right people to lead the Tigers forward.

 

Following this week's board meeting, at which he was present, Tigers football manager Dan Richardson has been asked to report back in June.

 

"I'm as disappointed as any fan. But I think fans can take confidence in knowing that everything that can be done, is being done to assess the reasons for this," O'Neal said.

 

"The football performance has gone backwards from where we were last year, but it doesn't mean that the entire direction of the club is wrong. We believe this is a temporary setback."

 

Richmond extended Hardwick's contract until the end of 2016 after he returned the club to the finals for the first time since 2001.

 

That was after a thorough review of the football department and O'Neal said there was no point on backtracking on the club's recommitment.

 

"We had no doubt, based on the performance review, and the review from the head of football and the CEO, that he was the right person for the job," O'Neal said.

 

As the Tigers go in search of their 11th premiership, O'Neal reiterated Hardwick was their preferred choice to lead the club in its bid for silverware.

 

"We did and we do. And we stand by that definitely. I understand the interest, but no one has ever said anything other than that Damien is the coach for us."