RICHMOND has snapped the Hawks' eight-game winning streak, triumphing by 18 points at the MCG on Friday night.
The three most recent of those Hawthorn wins had come at an average of nearly 100 points.
But Richmond's 10.11 (71) to 7.11 (53) win put that talk to a halt, and it was no stroke of luck.
It was built on astute tactics to shut down the Hawks' possession game, a desire to attack with run and dare when they had the ball, and a limiting of their normal goalkicking power – they averaged 116 points a game before the defeat.
Hawthorn’s final score was its lowest since it kicked 5.16 (46) in a five-point loss to West Coast in round four, 2012.
Before round 15, Hardwick put the onus on his team to make a statement in July.
"It's big-boy month, so it's time to come and play," he said.
The Tigers delivered with three wins out of four since then, and there should be no doubt about their place near the top of the ladder after adding Hawthorn's name to an already impressive list of scalps.
Brett Deledio's influence was huge, with the classy user kicking four vital goals from 19 disposals, while Dustin Martin (26 disposals), Trent Cotchin (24) and Brandon Ellis (27) were also important.
Anthony Miles' dogged efforts in gathering 30 disposals (plus seven clearances) helped the Tigers gain ascendancy, and Ivan Maric dominated in the ruck. In defence, Alex Rance was sublime and Bachar Houli bounced back from his game-changing error last week to perform well.
Champion Hawthorn midfield trio Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis had plenty of the ball but did not impact the game to their usual extent, with forward Jack Gunston (three goals) offering a lone hand in attack.
Compounding their defeat, Hawks defender James Frawley was reported for rough conduct for a dangerous second-quarter tackle on Jack Riewoldt.
Richmond's intent was clear before the first bounce, with Cotchin initiating some physical argy-bargy with Hodge and Mitchell. It set the tone for a brilliant term for the Tigers, who jumped to a 19-point lead by the first change thanks to three goals from Deledio.
Their tight, precise and smart ball use kept it out of the Hawks' hands (Richmond had 51 of the first 64 touches of the night), and the tactics limited the premiership favourites to only their second goalless quarter of the year.
The Tigers' philosophy of moving the ball quick continued to pay dividends.
When Josh Gibson tracked a loose ball in defence, Reece Conca roared into the contest to tackle him and shut him down.
When the ball was up for grabs in the backline, Rance leapt at it, bolted off, kicked long and started a chain of disposals that ended in a Riewoldt goal.
That put the Tigers 25 points up early in the second term, but it jolted the Hawks into action. They shut down the Tigers' run, controlled the ball in their forward half, and made the most of their opportunities.
Twenty-five minutes and five goals later, the back-to-back reigning premiers led by two points at the main change.
But another goalless term by the Hawks, and an energised Tigers outfit, saw the momentum swing in the third quarter, with the Tigers holding an 18-point margin at the last break.
The Tigers saw off a Hawks challenge in the final term and held on for their third win over Hawthorn in their past four games.
HAWTHORN 0.3 5.6 5.8 7.11 (53)
RICHMOND 3.4 5.4 8.8 10.11 (71)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Gunston 3, Puopolo 2, Schoenmakers, Rioli
Richmond: Deledio 4, Lambert, Riewoldt, McIntosh, Vickery, Houli, Lloyd
BEST
Hawthorn: Lewis, Mitchell, Birchall, Hodge, Burgoyne
Richmond: Miles, Deledio, Martin, Maric, Ellis, Cotchin
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Richmond: Nil
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