Damien Hardwick reveals Dustin Martin’s cheeky suggestion for first move after quitting

Outgoing Richmond Tigers coach Damien Hardwick has shared the brutal advice AFL star Dustin Martin has given him about what to do next.

The 50-year-old three-time premiership-winning coach resigned as Tigers coach on Tuesday, saying he urgently needed a break after the job became ‘too much’.

Before a press conference, Hardwick revealed that star player and infamous party animal Martin, 31, had suggested jumping on a plane to Spain.

“The biggest thing on my plate right now is to decompress. I’m talking to a few players, Dustin [Martin] suggested we go to Ibiza and Bakes [Liam Baker] suggested we go to Lake Grace,” he chuckled.

“It is somewhere in between where I will find myself. I’m just looking forward to a break. It’s been an incredible journey for 13-14 years, but it’s very time consuming,” Hardwick added.

With the Tigers languishing in 13th place on the AFL ladder and the decision to step down next season already made, Hardwick said it was time to tie the knot to give the club every chance to lift itself up. for a bright future.

Flanked by club officials, he swallowed back tears and thanked all players, fans and stakeholders at the club.

He reserved a special mention for his family, which includes ex-wife Danielle and his new love Alexandra Crow – the latter of whom sat in the front row during the announcement.

Before a press conference on Tuesday, Hardwick revealed that star player and notorious party animal had suggested Martin hop on a plane to Spain

“Daniel and the kids, I’m eternally grateful for what you’ve given me, the support you’ve given me,” he said.

“And Alex, thank you for the new journey, and of course your support has been phenomenal over the past few months.”

Damien Hardwick’s relationship with Alexandra Crow came after he divorced his wife Danielle in 2020.

“The biggest thing on my plate right now is to decompress. I’m talking to a few players, Dustin [Martin] suggested we go to Ibiza and Bakes [Liam Baker] suggested we go to Lake Grace,” he chuckled

Hardwick also praised his children and ex-wife Danielle (pictured together on the 2014 Brownlow Medal) after the couple split in 2020

The Tigers coach and his ex-wife share three children together.

Hardwick is the longest-serving coach in Richmond history and will go down in history alongside Tom Hafey as one of the club’s all-time greatests, having led the Tigers to the premiership in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

Since his appointment to the top position in 2010, he had coached 307 games for 170 wins, 131 losses and six draws.

There will be speculation over Hardwick’s future and whether – and when – he could coach at another club again next year or beyond.

Richmond will also move quickly to assess the coaching market, with assistant coach McQualter taking the reins for the remainder of the season.

Hardwick is flanked by Richmond president John O’Rourke (left) and CEO Brendon Gale (right) as he gives his reason for leaving the club he took from the basement to the AFL penthouse