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Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says it is important his AFL team's inexperienced midfield learn from a loss to GWS.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has urged his inexperienced on-ballers to lift and help drive the AFL club's premiership defence.

The Tigers, minus a handful of key players, suffered a 12-point loss to GWS at Giants Stadium on Friday night.

They were beaten 37-29 in clearances and 120-104 in contested possessions, with the hosts' midfield dominance helping them get across the line.

The reigning premiers will recall captain Trent Cotchin, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, for Wednesday's clash with the in-form Western Bulldogs.

Cotchin's return will help Richmond's chances of winning next week's midfield battle, but Hardwick noted it was important his young teammates also stand up.

"It is tough with the inexperienced midfield we have. We probably need some help, but the fact is that help isn't coming for a number of weeks," Hardwick said.

"We expect guys to get better.

"Those guys who are out of the side will be back at some stage, but they're not going to be back in a hurry.

"We need to find those guys who will give us an opportunity to propel the ball forward. We were a bit disappointing in the midfield, we didn't get the ball going our way."

Hardwick suggested Sydney Stack and would-be debutant Riley Collier-Dawkins will be in the mix for call-ups in round nine.

Youngster Shai Bolton, who has spent more time in the middle because of Richmond's injury woes, clearly relished his additional responsibility in the clash with GWS.

"His first and last quarter were really good ... we really like the look of him through there," Hardwick said.

Approaching the halfway point of this stop-start season, Hardwick is upbeat about his team's hopes of making it three flags in four consecutive years.

"There's some indicators of ours that are strong, premiership indicators that we look at," he said.

"There are some indicators we need to get a little bit better in.

"We'll improve. There's no doubt about it.

"We're not playing our best footy ... when our talent comes back we'll be all the better for it. We just have to hang tough, get some wins on the board."