Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says his side “played too well, too early last year” and are now on a better trajectory to win an AFL premiership.

The Tigers blitzed the 2018 regular season in pursuit of consecutive flags and finished two wins clear on top of the table, but they were stunned by Collingwood in the preliminary final.

Hardwick’s men have timed their run later this season and sit fourth on the ladder with two rounds remaining on the back of a seven-game winning streak.

Richmond’s red-hot form has made them flag favourites and the 2017 premiers may not have to play another game away from the MCG in 2019.

“I think we probably played too well, too early last year,” Hardwick told AFL 360.

“We scraped home with a couple of wins — we probably should have lost a couple of games — I think the Bulldogs and I think the Cats probably should have beaten us too I think from memory, Gary (Ablett) had that shot late.

“And we probably would have been good to get a kick up the backside at some stage.

“But this year I feel we’re better placed, I think we’re playing a better brand of footy.

“I think our guys are better placed this time of year but that doesn’t necessarily correspond to you winning the flag.”

Richmond host premiers West Coast at the MCG on Sunday.