The Tigers have been some distance away from that this season, winning only once in five rounds, and venture into a crunch clash against Port Adelaide on Saturday night where defeat would all but terminate hopes of making the finals.

A fit Deledio, having finally shrugged a quad problem, will be a major boost for the Tigers but his return has been offset by the suspension of Alex Rance.

The Tigers have resurrected their seasons before - they were 2-4 in 2013, 3-10 in 2014 and 3-3 last year and made the finals on each occasion - but whether Hardwick can keep spirits up and again extract a positive turnaround remains to be seen.

"It's the art of coaching, really. We have been, I think the last three seasons, in a similar type of predicament," Hardwick said.

"We have racked our brains, trying to figure out why and the reason and ramifications of it. The reality is, it is what it is. We try not to ride the emotional roller-coaster as much as we can and just get on with our business.

"From an emotional engagement point of view, we just keep communicating with the players, getting them to respond in the best possible manner."

Hardwick said there were signs of improvement against the Demons last weekend but said there could be "lag" in terms of the changes he has ordered.

He said the Tigers had not been "clean enough" inside 50 but pointed to the Demons booting eight goals from snaps, while his men converted only 1.4. He also wanted greater reward for their 26 forward-half turnovers.

In what Hardwick said had been a "copy and paste" situation, the Tigers again have had their list-management strategy criticised, with mature draft selections and mature rookie selections a point of debate.

"I think our squad is in a good place. But we have some players who unfortunately aren't playing to their level of expectation at the moment," he said.

"We'll get some players back over the course of the next two to three weeks and we'll start to see some better football."

Those better results need to be wins, otherwise calls for a review of the department, and questions about Hardwick's contract extension, will intensify.

Hardwick said his players need to at least reach the "standard of expectation from last year" before they had any hope of building.

"They are all important - they are all crunch games. The season is so tight. The competition at the moment is as tight as it has been," Hardwick said.

Deledio raised eyebrows when he declared the Tigers have a list capable of experiencing the ultimate success, provided they can regain their groove.

"I certainly do. I think we could always add to our list because it's not just about bringing in good players," Deledio said on Radio Sport National.

"We've got good players on our list, but fresh faces and fresh ideas lifts the other guys around you."

Jack Riewoldt trained on Thursday and Hardwick said he was "very confident" the key forward's sore ankle would not be an issue.