Reporter lucky not be hooked: Tigers coach

Richmond AFL coach Damien Hardwick has told a television reporter "lucky you didn't wear a left hook" after the journalist questioned his team's hunger at a media conference today.

Hardwick initially chuckled and hit back with a light-hearted comment after the journalist asked, "not to say that your players are soft or anything, but are there players at your club that just don't like the contest?".

"You can't say that mate, I can say that about your journalism, you're a soft journalist and a terrible journo," Hardwick fired back.

"If you play AFL footy, you've got to be tough, no doubt."

By the end of the conference, Hardwick's mood had changed, with the Tigers coach pointing aggressively at the journalist who had asked the question and saying "lucky you didn't wear a left hook".

He can be seen mouthing "ask that question again, good luck" as he stormed away from the assembled media.

Hardwick's outburst comes after the highly-fancied Tigers slumped to their eighth loss of the season against North Melbourne on Sunday despite leading by 35 points at halftime.

Richmond is currently 13th on the AFL ladder with just three wins despite qualifying for their first AFL finals appearance in 12 years last season.

The Tigers coach's fiery response comes a week after South Sydney NRL star Ben Te'o labelled Channel Nine reporter Danny Wiedler a "germ" and snubbed him in a tense stand-off at a media conference.