The cracks in Richmond coach Damien Hardwick’s armor became fully visible in February before a football had even bounced.
In an unusual pre-round 1 decision, the three-time premiership-winning coach admitted his passion for the job had taken a huge blow.
Hardwick admitted he wasn’t at his best in 2021, dealing with a broken marriage and the Tigers’ dramatic slump.
Hardwick and Crow at the 2022 Brownlow Medal Awards at Crown Palladium
Alistair Clarkson pulled the pin in North Melbourne last week
His highly publicized breakup with his wife and new partnership with club worker Alexandra Crow had also taken its toll.
“It was a challenge at times, but you just try to deal with the punches as best you can,” he told Scott Gullan of the Herald Sun.
“The nature of our industry is sensationalism, you know that and unfortunately that’s part of it.”
With the Tigers languishing in 13th place on the AFL ladder and the decision to resign next season already made, Hardwick told stunned fans on Tuesday that it was time to step down for the good of the club.
He had told Gullan in February that last year had been a drag, but he gave the Tigers faithful some hope that he had enough in the tank to go again.
“To be honest, I haven’t had the best years from a coaching perspective,” he said at the time.
“We didn’t get some things right along the way and you have to be honest and upfront about that.
“I probably wasn’t at my best a few times last year, but I didn’t recognize that fast enough.
“I’m not going to distrust you if I say I was tired last year… we needed the off season. I needed a break and I feel reborn.’
While Hardwick’s decision to step down mid-season has come as a kick-in-the-guts to the Tigers faithful, they’ve taken to footy forums en masse to declare their love for him.
Hardwick’s decision comes suspiciously on the heels of North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson’s mid-season departure last week.
Like Hardwick, Clarkson was at the center of both a media frenzy and shocking form on the pitch, with the Kangaroos languishing second to last on the ladder.
Clarkson, a four-time premiership winning coach at Hawthorn, his then assistant and now Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, and ex-Hawk player welfare manager Jason Burt have been named in accusations of racism during their time at the club.
Alistair Clarkson had struggled under the pressure of the Hawthorn racism saga
Hardwick is known to be good friends with Clarkson.
Kangaroos football boss Todd Viney told reporters last week that Clarkson had succumbed to pressure over the racism scandal.
He’s been so strong internally. The mask he put on was so clever. He kept it hidden from us internally,” he said.
“I knew things were weighing on him. But I didn’t see anything that hindered his coaching. I always thought that when this was all said and done and finished, he would be a better coach. It’s been one hell of a weight.’
The departure of the two coaches has sparked renewed debate about the pressures of AFL football and the support out there for those at the top.
“It’s a tough job, I’m not going to lie to you,” said Collingwood coach Craig McRae upon learning of Hardwick’s decision.
“It’s relentless, you get tired and you have to find energy sources. You come home and you’re exhausted.’
Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge said it would be exhausting coaching popular AFL sides.
“I don’t think there is a more stressful job in professional sports,” Hodge told The Age.
Former Richmond player and premiership coach Tony Jewell suggested that coaching an AFL team was one of the toughest jobs out there.
“It’s one of the worst professions known to man, being a coach,” he told Melbourne’s 3AW.
“(Hardwick) has been through a lot with these players, and some of them… their careers are coming to an end and you have some tough decisions to make about them.”
Damien Hardwick’s partner Alexandra Crow was at the center of his announcement on Tuesday
Damien Hardwick and ex-wife Danielle Hardwick at the 2017 Brownlow.
AFL 360 presenter Mark Robinson wondered on Monday whether Clarkson’s decision to quit had an impact on Hardwick.
“Maybe it was the realization that it’s over? It’s that simple. We were in contention and guess what… Richmond is in 14th place with three after 10 games. They don’t play a final.’ he said.
“Damien Hardwick could have said, ‘You know what? It’s over.’ To rebuild without him making decisions about his favorite players who brought him to the premiership, they cried bloody for him.”
On Tuesday, Hardwick referred to the punitive effect of coaching in the AFL when explaining his reasons for leaving.
“It’s a tough job as an AFL senior coach, but the support I’ve received from the majority of people has been absolutely outstanding and will forever go down in the books as one of the great things I’ve ever been in,” he said .
While Clarkson’s decision to step down from the Kangaroos will bring him some relief from the media spotlight, his pain is far from over.
In a statement released just four days ago, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan welcomed Clarkson’s decision to “prioritize his own health and well-being.”
“We understand how much the Independent Panel’s investigation into allegations of racism has impacted everyone involved, including Alastair, and believe the investigation should find a solution,” McLachlan said.
“It is a heavy burden borne by all parties involved and the well-being of everyone involved in this process is the number one priority for our game.
“It takes a lot of courage to stand up and say you need to focus on your own personal well-being and we support Alastair in doing what he needs to do for the sake of himself and his family. We will continue to support all parties.’
With the departure of another championship coach under pressure from the court, fans are wondering if the AFL is doing enough.