Veteran Nathan Brown says Damien Hardwick is the right man to coach Richmond - even if the star forward is axed a result.

Hardwick, whose appointment was announced on Wednesday, hinted he would be ruthless with the player list in a search for success.

Brown, who has battled injuries, is one player who could be shown the door.

The 31-year-old said he was anxious to play on with the Tigers next season but philosophical about the prospect of being sacked.

"It's been a tough year, we're down the bottom and if they decide to move me on well and good, I'll accept that," Brown told the Nine Network.

"I love Richmond, I love the club and I'd love to be part of the rebuilding process.

"If I'm not then I'm not and I wish Damien well.

"Even if he does move me on, I think he's the right man for the job. He's a hard nut and he'll bring a very hard sort of focus to the football club and I hope the club gets back on its feet," he said.

Brown's management has had no talks about his future but he said his absence through injuries would not help his case.

"I haven't had talks with anybody but I've missed a lot of football and when you miss a lot of football and you're over 30 they're pretty quick to wind you up," he said.

He will have one last chance - against West Coast at Subiaco on Friday night - to prove he is worth keeping on the list and should not be forced out.

"I hope that doesn't happen but it might and I've got to be a realist and hopefully I can get a few kicks this Friday night and state my case," Brown said.

"We've still got one game to go so I'm really looking forward to that.

"If it's my last game - hopefully it's not - (I'll) get out there and have a real crack."

While Brown's future might be shaky, fellow veterans Matthew Richardson and Ben Cousins are expected to be retained.

Hardwick said the club would decide in the next few weeks on the future of the pair.

He described Richardson, who is just three years younger than Hardwick, as "an outstanding talent".

"I still probably think he's in the top two to three players at this club, and he's 34," Hardwick said.

"We'll make decisions on that in the coming weeks, but he's still a very talented player."

He also said Cousins had been excellent for Richmond after his controversial recruitment this season.

Richmond are also expected to have to replace several assistant coaches who are set to move on following Hardwick's appointment.

"When the dust settles, I'll actually sit down and speak to those people involved," he said.

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