Richmond's aggressive streak was apparent again on Friday night as they took down premiership favourites Hawthorn in a stunning upset at the MCG.

While the footy world is starting to sit up and take notice of the Tigers' penchant for playing on the edge, Grimes disagrees with the view that it's only a recent phenomenon.

"That's been part of our culture for a while now and I really like the fact that it's uncomfortable playing against the Tiges," Grimes said prior to training on Tuesday at Punt Road.

"Perhaps now that we're winning a few more games, there's more light on it.

"Look at the way Dimma (coach Damien Hardwick) played his footy and the way he coaches as well, he was always really tense at the man and at the ball and at the contest.

"I think that's probably come through on our playing group ... it's a real compliment to our group that, one, we can take it up to the bigger sides and, two, we don't just play the game – we're out there to win."

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin set the tone prior to the opening bounce against Hawthorn as he physically targeted Hawks skipper Luke Hodge and midfield dynamo Sam Mitchell.

And Grimes all but admitted that Cotchin was feeding off the universal praise he was receiving for his heightened aggression levels.

"I suppose when players are being rewarded in the media for being more aggressive and being more upfront and having that bully mentality, I guess he's going to keep on doing it," Grimes said.

"As players under him, we love seeing our skipper go straight up to their skipper before the game and show everyone in the footy world that it's going to be a real arm wrestle for the next two hours."

Grimes said Richmond's confidence was sky-high now that they have beaten three of the competition's top-four sides, but downplayed their status as a contender for the premiership.

"Any of the top-eight sides are a genuine contender, and even the top 10," Grimes said.

"The top 10 spots are really up for grabs at the moment and there's still a lot of footy to go so I can seriously imagine that moving around quite a lot in the next six or so weeks."

Since the current top-eight system was introduced in 2000, no side outside the top three has gone on to win the premiership but Grimes suggested that trend could change this season.

"Anyone in the finals (can win the flag), particularly this year where we're sixth at the moment and we've beaten a few of the top sides and so have the teams that are not in the top eight at all," he said.

Richmond's next assignment is a crunch clash against Adelaide who are outside the top eight by 0.2 of a percent.

The match takes place at Adelaide Oval on Friday night but the Tigers are one of the best road teams in the competition, having won nine of their last 11 interstate games, and Grimes said they relished travelling.

"Being a young group and getting all the players in together, at the same hotel together, being able to prepare together, train together over there as well and then go out in the game, I think that's an ideal situation for us really," he said.

Meanwhile, key Adelaide midfielder Richard Douglas has been ruled out after having his appendix removed on Monday night.

Douglas has already missed five games this year due to a foot injury but despite only managing 11 matches to this stage of the year, he is still fourth at the club in 2015 for average disposals (21.45) and equal third for clearances (49).

The 2010 best-and-fairest, who is recovering well in hospital, won't know when he'll be available again for selection until later in the week.

Douglas' teammate Brodie Martin will have to pass a fitness test on Wednesday to prove he  can tackle the Tigers after being a late withdrawal against Sydney on Saturday due to illness.

Martin returned to the Crows' line-up in round 16 after featuring in just one of Adelaide's first 13 games for the season.