Richmond is averaging 47 tackles a game, ranked last in the competition. The Tigers are also ranked a lowly 13th in clearances.
"It's no doubt an area we need to get better in," Hardwick said.
"We were pretty happy last week. We recorded 73 (tackles) and we attacked the Dockers, which is a big step forward.
"We're certainly of a philosophy that it's a mindset. The players come with a mindset to attack defensively, there's no doubt they'll get the tackle numbers up."
Hardwick is under no illusions about his team's momentous task on Saturday, having lost the past five against the Cats. Richmond has not beaten Geelong since 2006.
"It has been a long time [since we've defeated Geelong]. They've been a quality outfit from that period of 2007 onwards.
"We had a close game last year but they're certainly a formidable outfit and we look forward to the opportunity to play them.
"We certainly think it will bring out our best footy and we think we're capable of getting the result.
"It's a great challenge for our boys: Saturday night footy at the 'G, and we look forward to it".
Defender Troy Chaplin trained and is a chance to play on Saturday, since missing last week's loss to Fremantle in Perth.
Not for the first time in 2013, Damien Hardwick has called on the Tigers to tackle more. Picture: AFL Media
