Richmond coach Damien Hardwick plans to hand AFL debuts to at least three Tigers in next Thursday night's MCG season-opener against Carlton.

Speaking at the club's season launch on Friday, Hardwick labelled 2010 the "start of the resurgence" of the Tigers and a year dedicated to "transformation".

The first-year coach said that process began with the off-season introduction of 14 new players to the squad, an overhaul of the coaching staff and a bulking up of the recruiting and strength and conditioning departments.

The theme is set to continue in the opening round, with the Tigers, who now have the competition's youngest list, set to reflect that in the 22 that runs out against the Blues.

"Over the pre-season we've seen a number of first-year players show signs that ... they'll be very good football players for us," Hardwick said.

"It's a great credit to our recruiting and development staff and assistant coaches.

"We'll have at least three debutants come round one versus Carlton."

The Tigers' top national draft pick Dustin Martin is expected to be one of those, with numerous other newcomers, including indigenous forwards Troy Taylor and Relton Roberts, having made an early impression.

Hardwick said along with the revamping of the club's playing list and staff and his introduction of a new gameplan, the overhaul of facilities at their Punt Rd home was significant.

"Finally we'll be the envy of other clubs with state-of-the-art facilities," he said.

"More importantly it eliminates excuses from coaches, players and staff, we're no longer on an uneven playing field, so we no longer have an excuse."

Hardwick stressed that he did not know how long it would take for the players to develop and fully adapt to his gameplan to the level required to deliver success.

But he said that was no excuse for not winning matches this season, although the club would have "one eye fixed on the 2010 season and the other on 2011 and beyond".

Hardwick urged players to enjoy the challenge and said the club's supporters and sponsors should do likewise.

"Enjoy the start of the resurgence of the Richmond Football Club. Remember the journey is the thing to savour, not the destination, and that journey starts now."

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