The Hawks went into the MCG clash sitting sixth after other results this weekend, but their 18.14 (122) to 6.16 (52) thrashing of the Tigers made a major statement and lifted them back into the top four.
Sunday's final margin flattered Richmond after they kicked several consolation goals once Hawthorn eased off in the final term.
They had led by as much as 87 points during the third quarter.
Uncontracted Hawk Mitch Lewis dominated up forward with five goals, all in the first half.
Goalsneak Nick Watson matched him by also kicking five goals in a stunning first-half performance.
The only injury concern for the Hawks was Jack Ginnivan, who was pulled at half-time with the club citing "back soreness."
Mitchell said Ginnivan was managed in the second half and also confirmed star Will Day (calf) would also face Essendon next Saturday.
"Every player at this time of year is managing some things, and we have a bit of a list of players who, if we can get time off them, then it will be beneficial for them," Mitchell said.
"So we're pleased we're able to to manage his game time along with a couple of others.
"He wasn't too pleased ... but if you get that chance it's smart to be able to manage our list to make sure that everyone's as healthy as they can be."
For Richmond, it was a sour way to commemorate triple premiership player Dion Prestia's 250th game.
"In the first half, we just we got belted in all three phases and were smashed in contested possession, smashed in time in half and didn't give our forwards an opportunity, and we got taught a footy lesson," Tigers coach Adam Yze said.
"It was really disappointing on a day that we we were really keen to celebrate one of our great players and a great Richmond man in Dion, and we didn't.
"We just didn't play the right way in the first half and we let our Tiger Army down in the first half, so we need to own that."
The only positive was veteran Tom Lynch finally kicking his 500th goal late in the final term after several weeks stuck on 499.
Tiger Taj Hotton failed to finish the game after suffering an ankle injury, while fellow youngster Steely Green finished the match under a HIA.
Watson, who was back from a two-week injury lay-off, picked up where he left off by kicking the first goal mid-way through the first term after a pedestrian start by both teams.
He was able to slot a second goal in the opening quarter but was upstaged by a rampaging Lewis, who kicked three in the first 30 minutes.
Lewis would have had four goals by quarter-time had his set shot after the siren not narrowly missed.
But Lewis didn't have to wait too long for his fourth – which came early in the second term – on his way to five majors.
Hawthorn led by a whopping 63 points at the main break, their largest halftime lead in five seasons under Mitchell.
The Hawks threatened to blow the margin beyond 100 points in the third term before the Tigers were able to make the scoreline more respectable by the final siren.
