The Tigers were looking to claim a big scalp on Sunday by knocking off the Sydney Swans at the SCG and continuing their bid for a top-four berth.
And while they gave the Swans some early concerns - Richmond led by 13 points after 10 minutes - the home side proved too strong and came away 47-point winners.
Hardwick said the Swans ran over the top of the Tigers and he was disappointed with the way his players controlled the footy.
"We got a kick up the backside today," Hardwick said.
"We probably weren't hard enough at stages."
"They were just too good, they were slick, they way they moved the ball through hands was fantastic and we just weren't good enough."
Despite the loss, the Tigers stay in sixth spot with an 11-6 win-loss record, ahead of Collingwood on percentage.
The club, which came into the match with six wins from its past seven matches, faces another premiership contender the next week when it faces Hawthorn at the MCG.
The loss was compounded by a couple of injury concerns after Ty Vickery was concussed in a last-quarter collision and Ricky Petterd hurt his groin late in the match.
Hardwick said it was too early to know the full extent of their injuries.
Richmond struggled to contain the Swans' big forwards - Jesse White booted four goals on the smaller Ricky Petterd while Kurt Tippett kicked three on Troy Chaplin.
Meanwhile, the Tigers' midfield was unable to get its running game going against the best on-ball brigade in the competition, with Brett Deledio held in check by Craig Bird.
"The pressure they put around the contest was outstanding," Hardwick said.
