Richmond midfielder Shaun Grigg says the players will be responsible for the future of Tigers coach Damien Hardwick beyond this season.

Hardwick is out of contract at the end of the year, but Grigg says if the players can implement his plan he is set to be re-signed.

He said Hardwick’s vision had already resulted in a re-invigorated side and he was certain they would improve further this season.

“If Dimma (Hardwick) keeps going the way he is and we develop his game plan and his teams that will all take care of itself,” Grigg said.

“We’ll play well and win games and it won’t be an issue.”

He said Richmond was on track for a better year after a solid pre-season boosted by a first-time training camp in Arizona.

“It was just good for the team to get away for a period of time and gel moreso than what you would here,” Grigg said.

“We’re a lot closer and we’re a lot fitter, it was a good camp.

“We’ve had a good pre-season but we’re sick of the training and are just ready for the games.”

Grigg admitted turnovers had been costly for the Tigers last year but said all parts of their game had been addressed during the off-season.

“We’ve worked on every aspect of our game. We’ve got Ross Smith from the Hawks who has come in as a defensive coach so we’ve spent a lot of time with him.

“We’ve been going over footage and drills and game plans.”

Grigg said midfielder Dustin Martin was again poised for a big season after the 20-year-old produced stellar performances in his first two years with the club.

“He’s been one of the strongest trainers all season, he hasn’t missed a beat and he’s fit and firing,” Grigg said.

“I think he’ll take the competition by the scruff of the neck this year.”

Martin, who was third in the club’s best-and-fairest last year and a Rising Star nominee in 2010, was again likely to mix working in the midfield and the forward line.