Damien Hardwick’s lowest point at Richmond revealed as he quits Tigers in story broken by Tom Morris
Richmond couldn’t have been put on the backburner when Damien Hardwick took over as coach for the 2010 AFL season.
It had been three long decades since the once mighty Tigers had tasted ultimate success.
And for most of those 30 years, Richmond had been the AFL equivalent of a punchline to a bad joke.
No one expected a quick turnaround in fortunes, not even under the guidance of a man who had enjoyed ultimate success as a player at Essendon (2000) and Port Adelaide (2004) and as an assistant coach at Hawthorn under his great mate Alastair Clarkson (2008) .
Hardwick would go on to win three premierships at Richmond, but the Tigers were a rabble when he first signed on as a coach in 2010
The Tigers lost their first nine games of the 2010 season before a turning point victory heralded the major turn in the club’s fortunes.
Just nine games into Hardwick’s tenure and the enormity of the task was laid bare – the club were once again in the last spot of the ladder with a 0-9 win-loss record and a miserable percentage of 56.2.
They were unkindly labeled as ‘the worst team since Fitzroy’, referring to the pathetic Lions team who lost 1-21 in their last season in the league in 1996.
But that nadir of Hardwick’s reign at Punt Road was quickly put in the rearview mirror.
The 50-year-old finally came up with his first victory against all odds, away to Port Adelaide on a wet day at Football Park in Round 10, 2010.
It may not have been apparent at the time, but the renaissance was finally underway with a list that included plenty of deadwood, as well as Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt and Shane Edwards, all of whom would go on to become three-time premiership heroes.
Hardwick’s new love
Hardwick and Crow at the 2022 Brownlow Medal Awards at Crown Palladium
While Hardwick has enjoyed success as a player and coach in the AFL, it hasn’t been all plain sailing.
His personal life recently came to the fore when it was revealed that his marriage to wife Danielle had broken down after the pair raised three children together.
Hardwick began dating the much younger Alexandra Crow, a member of Richmond’s commercial sales team during the Queenslan hub at the height of the Covid pandemic.
While Hardwick and Crow are now happy to be seen together in public, it was a controversial moment in the coach’s tenure at Richmond that affected his entire family.
The Tigers finally ended a 12-year finals drought under Hardwick in 2013 – but it would be the first of three straight losses.
As the club fell to 13th in 2016, plenty at Punt Road clamored for the coach’s head.
In years past, when the unofficial slogan “Eat ‘Em’ Alive” was too often translated as “eat their own,” it could very well have become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
But President Peggy O’Neal, CEO Brendon Gale and prodigal son Neil Balme – finally lured back as football boss – clung to the coach.
It was an inspired decision.
Twelve months later, the Tigers celebrated their 11th premiership, with the upset 48-run victory over Adelaide ending a 37-year drought.
Further flags were won in 2019 against GWS and in 2020 against Geelong, with a trademark method of frantic ball movement now favored by teams such as 2023 premiership favorites Collingwood.
For Hardwick, the 2020 win was the best of all, at the unlikely venue of the Gabba in a season dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The coach had initially railed against the restrictions placed on the clubs – and society as a whole.
“They’re all different, (but) this one is extra important to me,” he said after the Dustin Martin-inspired victory over the Cats.
“What we’ve had to go through to get here, the 100 days in a hub, how hard the AFL, the Queensland government, the people of Victoria have done it… it’s just a huge achievement.”
Missing out on the finals in 2021, the Tigers were rolled through Brisbane in 2022 in a heart-pounding elimination final.
With the golden generation of Cotchin, Riewoldt, Martin and Co nearing the end of the road, the club charged for what they believed would be a new flag in 2023, winning midfield bulls Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper from GWS at the expense of a whole range of design choices,.
Taranto were among the best of the Tigers in 2023, but with key players like Tom Lynch and Toby Nankervis battered by injury, they had fallen to 14th on the ladder by the end of round 10.
Never mind chasing a 14th flag – even making it to the 2023 finals would now be a gamble.
Hardwick led a period of huge success with the Tigers that included the emergence of Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt
Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt and Toby Nankervis celebrate a win in 2022 towards the end of the golden age
Hardwick’s journey in the AFL began when he was called up by Essendon Football Club in 1993. He made his debut in the 1994 season and quickly established himself as a reliable and tough defender.
Over the years, Hardwick developed into an essential player for Essendon, demonstrating his ability to read the game and make crucial tackles when required.
His efforts were rewarded in 2000 when he was awarded the coveted All-Australian honour, which recognized him as one of the best players in the league that year.
One of the highlights of Hardwick’s playing career came in 2000 when he played a vital part in Essendon’s premiership winning team.
The Bombers dominated the season, losing just one game, and Hardwick’s contributions as a tenacious defenseman was instrumental in securing the club’s 16th VFL/AFL premiership.
Hardwick was known as a tenacious defender in his playing days with the Essendon Bombers, winning a flag in 2000
Hardwick then moved to Port Adelaide in search of new challenges (pictured right, early in his career with the Bombers)
In 2002 Hardwick decided to take on new challenges and joined the Port Adelaide Football Club. His experience and leadership skills proved invaluable to his new team, as he quickly became a mentor to some of the younger players on the side.
In 2004, Hardwick achieved another major milestone in helping Port secure their first AFL premiership. The win made Hardwick one of the few players to win flags with two different clubs.
Throughout his playing career, Hardwick was known for his exceptional work ethic, dedication and determination.
He played a total of 207 AFL games, 153 of which were for Essendon and 54 for Port Adelaide.
In addition to his two premiership wins, Hardwick also earned several individual accolades, including the All-Australian selection in 2000 and the Essendon Best and Fairest award in 1998.
Ireland captain Anthony Tohill and Damien Hardwick clash early in the 2001 International Rules match between Australia and Ireland
Hardwick will be able to spend more time relaxing and enjoying life with his partner Alexandra Crow after retirement
After retiring from his playing career in 2004, Hardwick moved into coaching and has perhaps had an even more successful career in that role ever since.
It’s not hard to imagine the phrase “burnout” taking to the air when discussing his shock retirement.
But his legacy as a Richmond Football Club legend is assured.
He has coached the club a record 307 times and his three flags place him behind only the legendary Tom Hafey, who masterminded the 1967, 1969, 1973 and 1974 premierships.
It will be a difficult act to follow.