Asked what success might lie ahead for the Tigers, Hardwick replied: "It's hard to say - we mightn't get back next year. That's as even as the competition and as hard, as brutal a reality as it is.
"Many people will liken us to the Bulldogs and we saw the trials and tribulations that they had this year.
"The competition is brutal. They [other teams] will prepare a lot harder for us now, they'll probably go to school a lot more on us, obviously. So we'll just take this one for what it is and reset for next year."
Indeed, while Richmond overwhelmed Adelaide on Saturday, the Crows were minor premiers and had premiership favouritism for much of the season.
Only 12 months ago, the Tigers were in crisis on and off the field after dropping out of the top eight. There was an unsuccessful board challenge and plenty of pressure on Hardwick.
But Richmond held their nerve and recruited well, while Hardwick acknowledged his failings and made changes to how he coached.
They built their premiership on relentless pressure, plus they developed an unusual attack where Jack Riewoldt was the only tall marking option.
Just as Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs are the last two teams to drop out of the top eight the year after winning the flag, nine years apart, Richmond's premiership also breaks a trend.
The Tigers are the first team since Geelong in 2007 to win the premiership the year after finishing outside the top eight.
