Damien Hardwick has officially resigned as Richmond coach.Credit:Jason South
“I kept asking myself the question more and more. If you keep asking yourself the question,you know the answer,” Hardwick said.
“I had some conversations with some really key people around me just to make sure that I was in the right frame of mind to make that decision,and it became clear two weeks ago the time was about right.
“In all honesty I would rather leave too early than too late. The club means so much to me and I want to make sure that I leave the game loving the game,not resenting the game. But also want to make sure that I leave this place just with the best feelings.”
Hardwick fought back tears as he acknowledged what the club had done for his family,and the deep affection he held for his players,whom he addressed on Tuesday morning.
‘I’ve tried to cook the sausage 1000 different ways,and I couldn’t find 1001,so I think the players deserve a new voice that will hopefully give them that spark.’
Damien Hardwick
“From the bottom of my heart boys,I wish you all the very best,” Hardwick said. “I’m gonna miss ya,as always,I love you to death.”
Hardwick,who won premierships with Essendon and Port Adelaide as a player and completed his coaching apprenticeship at Hawthorn,said Richmond was “the love of my life”.
Richmond chief Brendon Gale,who along with the club board famously kept the faith in Hardwick after a disastrous 2016,spoke glowingly of the coach’s contribution but said the club would be an “attractive proposition” for a prospective coach.
“We’re a strong club,with a strong culture,we’re pretty confident we’ve got an environment a coach will thrive at our football club,” Gale said. “Because of this selfless decision it gives an opportunity to get ahead of that.”
Gale,who has been linked to a senior job with the AFL,said he was committed to and energised by the challenge of building Richmond’s next era of success.
Jack Riewoldt,Hardwick and Shai Bolton arrive at Punt Road.Credit:Andrew Wu/Paul Rovere
Hardwick started in 2010 when the Tigers were on their knees,lifting the club from the cellar to one of the great modern dynasties.
“There’s not a better place to be when things aren’t going well,” Hardwick said of the club. “There’s so much care and love in the place,it makes it a pleasure to be in.”
Camera crews had been camped out at Tigerland since before dawn,overseen by at least four security guards patrolling the entrance to the club’s headquarters.
Premiership stars Jack Riewoldt,Trent Cotchin,Nick Vlastuin,Tom Lynch,Shai Bolton,Dan Rioli,Toby Nankervis and Ivan Soldo were among those to arrive early,as were prized recruit Tim Taranto and defender Robbie Tarrant.
Hardwick said he had called Riewoldt to impart the news,giving his forward a fright in the process.
“I rang the great Jack Riewoldt and said,‘Oh mate are you available to chat?’ and of course,Jack made it all about him. He thought I was going to talk about him,and I said,‘No mate,this isn’t about you for once in your life’,” Hardwick joked.
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Hardwick said he hadn’t spoken to outgoing AFL boss Gillon McLachlan about his decision to walk away. “I just had to make sure that the people closest to me,and the people at this footy club knew exactly what was going through my head,” he said.
“It was hard ... but I’m glad I did it the way I have.”
He ended the media conference by thanking Richmond staff,fans and players.
“I wish you all the very best. I just want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for the journey that I’ve had,” he said.
The coach was met with a long and loud round of applause as he walked away.
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