As his predecessor sat back on the couch, beer in hand and dog by his side, Andrew McQualter began life in the Richmond hot seat with a much more frenzied experience.

The 36-year-old caretaker coach described his first match in charge - a 10-point defeat to Port Adelaide on Sunday - as good fun.

But he qualified that assessment by conceding, with a laugh, that an extended stint at the helm might take a toll.

"If I do it for too long I won't keep this thick, luscious hair that I've currently got," McQualter said.

"That might get challenged, but it was good fun."

Richmond threatened to end the Power's winning streak as Tim Taranto tried his best to drag them over the line.

The gun midfielder kicked four goals - was denied a fifth by a fingernail on the line - and gathered game-high tallies of 33 disposals and seven clearances.

Taranto's third major got the Tigers within two points early in the final quarter before Port steadied late in the match.

"Not a bad player, Tim, is he? He's been unbelievably consistent for us this year," McQualter said.

"He's an ultra competitor, every week he gives his all and we love him for it. It was another great game from him."

McQualter was also proud of his group as a whole.

"It has been a tough week, an emotional week for the club," he said.

"Dimma (Hardwick) has been such an influence on so many people at the club's lives and it was a challenging few days.

"Nobody saw it coming but once we got back to work on Wednesday, our leaders of our club were amazing.

"We understand that the club has a purpose and we've got to keep moving forward."

Hours before the first bounce, Hardwick posted a photo of himself to social media, with his Richmond coaching jacket on and feet up on the coffee table.

He had a beer bottle raised in one hand, though McQualter wasn't convinced many were consumed.

"Knowing Dimma, one and then he went to sleep," he laughed.

"But I saw that photo, it's great. I hope he enjoyed watching the game."

McQualter, a long-time assistant to Hardwick and former St Kilda and Gold Coast player, is yet to publicly declare his interest in taking on the full-time Richmond coaching job.

"I loved today, I loved the week, I love the opportunity I've been given and I think I'm just going to put my head down and do what I have to do for the club right now," McQualter said.

"Week to week I'll prepare our players to play a game of footy, and that's along with our assistant coaching group.

"That will be my focus."