After securing a place in the finals for the first time in 12 years, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick wants to ensure his players don’t waste the opportunity.

Richmond’s last game of the home-and-away season will be played against Essendon on Saturday night – a match that is sure to be filled with plenty of mixed emotions following the Bombers’ ban from this year’s finals series.

“We’re expecting a fired-up Essendon to come out and play the brand of footy they have played over the course of the year. . . It will be a fierce contest,” Hardwick said.

“We were really disappointed with the game we played against them in Round 9, so we’ll certainly be looking to rectify that result.”

Although the circumstances surrounding this Saturday night’s match are unique, Hardwick is convinced it will be just like any other game.

“We’ve still got to play.  At the end of the day we aren’t guaranteed any four points. The Bombers can still win the game and we’ll still be trying to win the game,” Hardwick said.

“I don’t think it will be different from any other week.

“They are going to bring in Nathan Lovett-Murray and David Hille, possibly for their farewell game, so their emotion will be high.  We’ll certainly just make sure we do what we do, and worry about ourselves.”

As September fast approaches, Hardwick admits the feeling around town this time of year is exciting for everyone.

“I think that vibe comes around the city of Melbourne, it starts to get exciting,” Hardwick said.

“We’ve certainly had a season that has been full of some speed humps along the way, with some issues . . . But I think the whole football community is looking forward to September.”