At the Jack Dyer Medal count on Monday, Hardwick described the season just gone, which ended in a 20-point elimination final loss to Carlton, as one of "progress but equally one of frustration".
He rued missed opportunities during the season that cost them a shot at the top four, and how they let a golden chance against the Blues slip.
The lost final is one that "doesn't sit comfortably" with the Tigers, and the club had felt a "collective pain" after the losing final that Hardwick joked still woke him up screaming.
In front of a sold out room of 1550 people, which saw the dance floor removed to accommodate a record number of 145 tables, the Tigers' coach quipped, "I can't wait until we win it".
And, putting the challenge firmly on the entire club to improve in 2014, he said the expectation "is certainly there next year" to have a successful finals campaign.
"When we lost that elimination final, it hurt. It hurt a lot," Hardwick said.
"It's a question everyone associated with this football club should be asking themselves between now and round one, 2014 - what can I do to make this club better?
"How can I take this club to the next step where we belong and demand to get to?
"I can guarantee you if everyone, and that means everyone, asks themselves that question, identifies something and acts on it, we will get better.
"We have not played in successive finals series since 1974-1975. That changes as of next year.
"We don't set a ceiling but we certainly set a platform where we bounce back from, and that's us."
Hardwick referred to a video interview with Nick Vlastuin that aired on the club's website last week where the defender - who won the club's best first-year player - said in order for the team to get better, he would have to.
He said the comment "hit him right between the eyes" - a pretty simple statement that summed up Vlastuin's character a month after his debut AFL season ended.
"If we all [find something and act on it], we play finals again, we challenge the best sides when it matters the most," he said.
"I can tell you from experience boys, the collective joy we will feel will live with us forever.
"There is no greater feeling than when you look across the MCG on that final day in September and the siren goes, the jubilation those players feel.
"That is within our group. I guarantee you. You have got to get better, as a coaching staff, as a playing group, as a football club, as a group of supporters we have to demand.
"No more mention of what a great season we had last year - we're looking forward to 2014.
"Bring it on."
Jack Riewoldt, who won the the club's highest goalkicking award for the fourth year running, said playing in front of a finals crowd was "addictive" and he planned on doing it again many more times.
The biggest cheers of the night were reserved for the reaffirmation of Dustin Martin's two-year contract extension, which was confirmed earlier on Monday.
Outgoing president Gary March, with whom Martin lived in his early years at the club, praised the players who had re-signed this season, including Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt and Reece Conca, for their commitment.
"We're really pleased that the playing group have all brought into our concept at Richmond and we're pleased that both Reece and Dusty have recently committed to the club," March said.
"I more than anyone, because I probably couldn't go home if Dusty hadn't re-signed.
"[Martin], you know what you mean to the March family and I look forward to continuing our family dinners."
It was March's final function as club president before he retires from the role.
Among other achievements in 2013, he said the club was now debt free and would record the highest operating profit in its history.
"We are financially sustainable and respected by other clubs," March said.
"I now believe heading into 2014, the Richmond football club is once again respected both on and off the field by the entire AFL community."
Hardwick also forecast a membership goal of over 70,000 next season after the club set a record this year of 60,000-plus.
