Gold Coast appoints Damien Hardwick as coach of the Suns until the end of 2029.
"I likened it to waking up on Christmas Day and walking out to a set of brand new toys, which is very exciting," Hardwick said of signing on as coach.
"I'm very much looking forward to coaching these young men and taking us to where we need to go, and that's to raise our first premiership cup, which I'm pretty sure will be in the not-too-distant future."
Damien Hardwick shocks the footy world by stepping down as head coach of Richmond, effective immediately.
"It just all became a little bit too much for me. It was one of those ones where I sort of made the decision that I wasn't going to be the coach of Richmond next year," he said.
"The best thing for myself was to step aside; if I couldn't give 100 per cent there was no way I was going to coach this footy club. It gives this footy club the best opportunity to find the next coach."
Damien Hardwick has urged clubs to rethink their stance on first-time coaches who have been sacked from their roles.
"This is the most rubbish nature of our industry. We just don't go back to guys who have learnt lessons," Hardwick said.
"I sit there and think about my first couple of years, and I look back and laugh about how poor I was as a coach. You look at the lessons that Ben (Rutten) and David (Teague) have learnt. They could do my job easily. But for some unknown reason, our industry thinks they'll just get a shiny new toy. Well, that's a bit of an easy out for a lot of footy clubs I reckon."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick admits he overstepped the mark in an expletive-laden verbal spray of opposition players at Richmond's most recent VFL match.
"I understand in my position I've got to be better than that. I've got to be probably judged to a higher standard, and I understand that," Hardwick said.
"What I will ask is that (people remember) I am human. I'm going to make mistakes and there's no doubt that I overstepped the mark."
Damien Hardwick signs a new three-year deal with Richmond to remain coach of the club until the end of 2024.
"The fact of the matter is I just enjoy our environment so much. Footy clubs are a by-product of their people, and I'm very lucky to work with wonderful people who make it what it is," Hardwick said.
Damien Hardwick opens up on how he addressed his players about his marriage breakdown.
"My players are understanding of my situation of and where we're at. What I've also got to understand is that there's a lot of staff and players that are incredibly close to Danielle and my family," Hardwick said.
"My entire family has been a massive part, and will continue to be a massive part, of the Richmond Football Club. Players and staff are close to Danielle and I'm glad they're supporting her. This isn't about taking sides, it's about making sure what's best for everyone."
Damien Hardwick lashes out at David Schwarz over the ex-Demon's comments on Tigers forward Tom Lynch.
Schwarz was part of a chorus of criticism directed at Lynch after the Tigers spearhead received two separate $1000 fines for striking in Richmond's win over Gold Coast.
Schwarz had labelled Lynch a "goose", "knucklehead" and said he needed to "stop trying to be something you're not" on 3AW radio.
"I love his aggression, sometimes he's going to go over it (the line) and he's going to (give away) free kicks, or like the weekend he's going to get a report or two," Hardwick said of Lynch.
"This guy's incredibly brave on the field. He jumps into packs, he jumps back with courage. So for people to sit there and say he lacks courage is completely irresponsible and lacks perspective in my point of view and they really should have a good hard look at themselves.
"Mainly I'm looking at David Schwarz here. I played a grand final (for Essendon against Melbourne in 2000) against that bloke and within 20 minutes of the game he was crying so (he should) have a look at himself at some stage."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says he has apologised to Sydney coach John Longmire for his post-match comments that suggested his Swans counterpart was being overly defensive by stacking "75,000 people" in its backline against the Tigers in a dour affair at the Gabba.
Longmire refuted those comments, saying his Hardwick's claims were "completely unnecessary and unwarranted" before branding them as "just not correct".
"I was probably frustrated and let the situation get the better of me," Hardwick explained.
"I called up 'Horse' and apologised. It was out of line on my behalf, so we had a good conversation and we moved on pretty quickly. I'll just worry about what I can control and continue to do that."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick returns to Punt Road armed with a fresh approach to inspiring his team after being granted leave to attend a leadership course in London.
Hardwick had relinquished the reins to his assistants on the training track as he travelled to the UK for further personal development.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has blasted the AFL's score review system after a Jack Higgins shot at goal was confusingly ruled a behind in Richmond's win over St Kilda.
The first-year Tiger had a shot from 50 metres in the third term of his side's 28-point win.
The goal umpire is understood to have believed it was a goal before it was touched by Saints big man Tom Hickey, but it was referred to the goal review system, which ruled it a behind, despite replays not conclusively showing it was touched before fully passing the goal line.
Hardwick questioned why the game should stop despite the goal umpire's initial call Higgins' kick was a goal.
"So why do we wait? Why don't we just go back to the centre? He's called a goal. We're asked to trust and respect the umpires, how about the we back the goal umpire in and then we go back to the centre? And if you haven't figured it out by that stage just let the game go. Momentum in sport is a wonderful thing," Hardwick said post-game.
"I sit there and I still don't know how it got turned over. Seriously, it's an embarrassment to our game. I reckon it really is. The technology is deplorable."
The AFL has decided not to take any further action against a heckling Adelaide supporter who sparked a confrontation with Richmond coach Damien Hardwick at Adelaide Oval.
The fan reportedly made a jibe about the Tigers' loss and being away from the comforts of the MCG, which prompted Hardwick to respond angrily before pointing him out to security
Richmond coach Damian Hardwick is seen having a verbal exchange with an Adelaide supporter as he walks down the stairs following Richmond's loss to the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
"The ground security staff got the man's details after the altercation between him and Damien Hardwick," a League spokesman said.
"The AFL will make a decision after Easter as to whether any action will be taken against the fan."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick and captain Trent Cotchin have reveal the moment they were reduced to tears after Dustin Martin's contract extension with the Tigers.
"I'll never forget being on the phone and I let a yelp like a 12-year-old schoolboy when he told me he was staying. I was that excited, I had tears," Hardwick said in Don’t Believe in Never: The Wounded Tiger Story.
"I'll never forget where I was when Dustin Martin called me to tell me he was staying a Richmond player for basically the rest of his life."
Cotchin talks openly about the moments after receiving the call from the Brownlow and Norm Smith medallist to inform him he was staying at Richmond.
"I was in the room on my own and he (Martin) called me, then I called 'Dimma' (Hardwick) and sounded him out to suss whether he knew," Cotchin said.
Damien Hardwick is set to become Richmond's longest-serving coach after signing a contract extension through to the end of 2021.
"Our club has built a strong and united culture, and Damien has been critical to that. He has an incredible connection to his players, is a person of great character and a wonderful coach," Richmond president Peggy O’Neal said.
"Damien is constantly looking at ways to improve himself, and get the best out of his players and coaching group, and we wish them all the best for the upcoming AFL season."
Following Richmond's 2018 premiership, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick and his assistant Blake Caracella become the first men to win flags with four clubs as players, coaches or assistant coaches.
When Damien Hardwick survived the axe at Richmond last year, he believed the Tigers could turn things around quickly.
But never in his wildest dreams did he think he would be sitting in the bowels of the MCG as a premiership coach with the Jock McHale Medal hanging around his neck.
"I was confident that if we played our best we'd make finals," Hardwick said post-match.
"If you had have asked me whether we'd be sitting up here, collecting medals and a premiership cup, I'd say you're kidding yourself.
"It's just been a phenomenal ride this year. It's been really special. You don't want it to end, really."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is crowned the AFL Coaches' Association coach of the year for 2017 after leading Richmond's remarkable revival into a Grand Final.
The 45-year-old polled 294 votes to edge out Grand Final opponent Don Pyke (283), with Sydney coach John Longmire (72),
Damien Hardwick has urged the football world to welcome back James Hird after the Essendon great was asked by the AFL to present this year's Norm Smith Medal.
"I think footy is a pretty forgiving game, and James is one of the all-time great players, great leader and a great friend of mine," Hardwick said.
"From my point of view, wrap your arms around him and bring him back in.
"Once again, we've got to remember that everyone has an error in life, so we've just got to make sure we continue to wrap our arms around people and get them back involved in the game."
Kane Cornes has revealed he "had it out" with Richmond coach Damien Hardwick in a phone conversation.
Hardwick had not taken too kindly to Cornes suggesting the Tigers were a complacent team through social media.
"Without divulging too much, it was a pretty robust conversation that we had this afternoon and I appreciated him calling me back," Cornes told Channel Nine.
"Look, we had it out. I stand by my comments and he stood by his.
"But there's no question that Richmond got ahead of themselves (on Saturday night) and I said that to him on the phone."
Cornes acknowledged he had a "history" of criticising the Tigers, highlighting where strains in the relationship between he and Hardwick began to emerge.
"We have a premiership reunion every Thursday before the Grand Final and it did get back to me that he was upset with a few comments that I'd made over a long period of time," Cornes said.
"But he made that very clear that he separates me as the media performer and a former teammate, and there's no hard feelings.
"I've been critical of (Tigers captain) Trent Cotchin, I've been critical at Richmond, I was really critical of their finals performance going back a while (and) I was critical of the fact they dress up on Mad Monday and celebrate poor seasons."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick reacts angrily to a tweet by Kane Cornes.
Midway through the second quarter of the Tigers' clash against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, with Richmond already 10 goals down, Cornes tweeted: "If a top 4 side concedes 32 in. 50's in 45mins of play it means you've got ahead of yourself. No other explanation."
"Seriously, I'd love to see Kane. I'd really love to see Kane," Hardwick told reporters after the game.
"Don't get me wrong, that's his job – he's there to write shit comments."
Asked whether Cornes' views deserved any credibility, a clearly irritated Hardwick said: "Please."
Kane Cornes responds to Richmond coach Damien Hardwick's blunt post-match remarks, saying he was well within his rights to question the Tigers' complacency in their loss to St Kilda.
"They've been poor for over 10 years (and) they haven't won a final since 2001," Cornes said.
"The fact they got ahead of themselves, I can't think of another explanation. Coming into that game, everyone thought the Tigers were going to win.
"Last week after the game (against Port Adelaide), Damien Hardwick said 'the best is yet to come' and then they serve that up."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick blames himself for the Tigers' underwhelming 2016 season.
"I felt I segregated myself from players, I was working harder than I had to, I was trying to find the solution myself but in effect I was the problem," Hardwick told Fox Footy.
"I was looking for things and creating things that weren't actually there half the time.
"I ended up being too worried about the micro and not the macro, so I had a really poor year (and) I rectified that.
"(My workload) was out of control. And you're at your worst, you're locking yourself away – I wasn't in a good spot at that stage, there’s no doubt about it."
"Just play". That's Damien Hardwick's message to his Richmond players after a 2016 season in which he admits he became too strict and rigid in his coaching.
"Once the season ends and the dust settles, the first person you look at is yourself," Hardwick said.
"I had to go out and iron out [those things] that probably weren't allowing me to be the best coach I could be.
"I was probably a little bit too strict on them at stages last year and didn't allow them to play with that freedom."
Despite a disappointing year, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says he is confident the Tigers will be back in the mix in 2017.
"I personally think it'll be a quick bounce. I think we'll be back in finals next year," Hardwick told Fox Footy.
"Winning finals is the thing we're about. We haven't been successful thus far … but (with) the potential I see and the players we've got, (if) we get all our personnel on (the) track, we're going to be playing finals next year."
Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has thrown his support behind under-siege coach Damien Hardwick, saying players at the club must lift.
The Tigers are reeling from arguably their most inept performance under Hardwick, an embarrassing 88-point loss to Greater Western Sydney in which they kicked only three goals.
Richmond's 3.5 (23) was the club's lowest score in a VFL/AFL match since 1961.
"He will wear most of (the criticism) on his shoulders because that's the kind of person he is," Cotchin said.
"But the reality is we need to be better as a playing group. We're doing everything we can. There's obviously a lot of work for us to do.
"The challenge for us is that we've still got four weeks of the season to turn around our form."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick concedes he overstepped the mark in his critique of star midfielder Dustin Martin during his post-match press conference following the Tigers' 70-point loss to the Hawks.
After the Tigers' 70-point loss to Hawthorn last Sunday, in which Martin racked up 39 possessions and 10 clearances, Hardwick was asked if his best midfielder could win the Brownlow Medal.
The coach, who believed Martin had handballed too much instead of taking attacking options, responded: "Not on today's game. I didn't think he was that good today."
Hardwick said he had since spoken to Martin about his comments and the 25-year-old, who has racked up at least 30 possessions in eight of his past nine games, understood.
"I called Mark Maclure a goose last week and I think I was in the same boat," Hardwick said on Thursday, in reference to the ABC commentator's refusal to award Martin a vote after his 43-disposal performance against Essendon in round 17.
"We speak all the time, there are stages where I overstep the mark like I did on the weekend, and 'Dusty' understands that.
"It's a volatile game footy, it's an emotional game."
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has revealed an awkward 'wrong number' moment when trying to offer support to beleaguered Richmond counterpart Damien Hardwick.
Buckley said on Thursday that AFL Coaches' Association chief Mark Brayshaw had mistakenly given the Collingwood mentor the phone number of Hardwick's wife, Danielle.
"Why Mark Brayshaw has got my wife's number, I'm not too sure," Hardwick laughed when asked about the incident.
Despite the initial error, Buckley's well-meaning call was a positive sign of the times, according the Richmond coach.
"Look, we want to kill each other on the weekend but I think as a group of men we've started to understand," Hardwick said.
"We're all in these situations at some stage so we lean on each other a lot more than we used to."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick signs a two-year contract extension with Richmond that will see him take the reigns at the club until the end of 2018.
President Peggy O'Neal said the 43-year-old's extension of two years was deserved and important to maintain stability at the club.
"In making this decision the board considered what Damien has accomplished during his tenure, including the fact he has taken the team to three consecutive finals series," O’Neal said.
"We also considered whether he was the right man to take us further and, after thorough analysis and discussion, the unanimous view was that Damien is the right man to coach our club."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has defended his club's decision to field 15 players for periods of Thursday's NAB Challenge loss to Port Adelaide, saying his eyes were firmly on round one and protecting the health of his players.
The Tigers' injury problems became so severe against the Power that Hardwick requested the game be cut short in the final 10 minutes.
The plea was denied by the AFL, with football operations manager Mark Evans then stepping in to make sure the Tigers fielded as many players as they could until the end of the match.
Hardwick said he had pulled star players Alex Rance, Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin off the ground to make sure they got their rotations after being stretched through the fourth quarter.
WATCH: Highlights from Richmond v Port Adelaide
"It seems like a big deal, but our main priority is the health and safety of our players for round one, not to win a NAB three game," Hardwick said.
"Some of our players hadn't had a rotation for a quarter, and we had another player who was cramping.
"So we just thought 'let's get them off and have their rotation and send them back on if they're OK'.
"My priority is to get a fit and fired-up Richmond side for round one, not to win a practice match."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says he is still haunted by his team's contested ball capitulation in last year's elimination final, with one number seared in his brain.
The Tigers uncharacteristically lost the contested possession count against North Melbourne by 33 in their 17-point loss at the MCG, exiting the finals at the first hurdle for the third straight year.
"I still remember that number – 33 – that number still haunts me," Hardwick said.
"We were ranked No.2 in contested ball differential for the year and to have that number stick out at the end of the game was un Richmond-like.
"At half-time we might have been up by two goals, but the template of KPIs was there and we could tell it was a false positive.
"You're never going to win if you lose the contested ball count by that much."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick will embark on an education trip to the US this month as he looks for a way to deliver the Tigers' first finals win under his reign.
Hardwick will be joined on the trip by Richmond's coaching director Tim Livingstone, assistant coach Mark 'Wilbur' Williams and football analysis manager Hayden Hill.
"They're going to spend some time with Texas University and Kentucky University," Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said.
"They're always looking to improve and see what other people are doing at other teams and in other countries."
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick says he will be unaffected by external opinions in 2016 after Richmond's third straight finals loss.
"We won’t be driven by proving outsiders wrong … to be totally honest I couldn’t care less what people outside our club think," Hardwick said at the Jack Dyer Medal count.
"The rest of the football world wants to point the finger at us and tell us we aren’t up to it.
"As our song says, we will fight and fight and win. I’m up for the fight, the players are up for the fight … as is the whole club."
The AFL Umpires department has conceded it should have rewarded a tackle by Richmond's Shane Edwards during the tense final quarter of Sunday's elimination final against North Melbourne.
With 7.26 left on the clock, Edwards laid a perfect tackle on Kangaroo Ben Cunnington, who disposed of the ball incorrectly after having prior opportunity.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick labeled the non-decision 'diabolical' after his team went down by 17 points.
"Yes it is (holding the ball)," head of AFL umpires Hayden Kennedy said.
"Brett (Rosebury) wasn't in the perfect position with the players in front of him to make that call."
Cunnington admitted to thinking he had given away the free when tackled by Edwards.
"I remember getting the handball receive and I remember a few boys yelling out, 'You're hot'. I just tried to get it on to my boot and kick it as quickly as I could," Cunnington said.
"But the player came across quickly enough that he was tackling me and I thought I was gone once I went to ground.
"You get off the ground a bit slowly but the ball played on, so I was a bit relieved because it definitely would have been a shot on goal."
Frustrated Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has demanded the AFL ban clubs from talking about their rivals' out-of-contract players until the free agency period opens.
He said the constant speculation around players coming out of contract had an impact on football clubs, but Hardwick refused to be drawn into a discussion about the exact nature of the impact.
Instead he slammed the current situation that allowed the Brisbane Lions to discuss the prospect of Richmond defender Alex Rance joining their club. Hardwick then cut the media conference short.
"Other clubs shouldn't be talking about Eddie Betts, Alex Rance, Patrick Dangerfield [or] Rory Sloane. It's inappropriate as far as I'm concerned," Hardwick said.
"From our point of view there is a trade period and a free agency period at the end of the year and this is where all this should be taken care of.
"It's just ridiculous we're talking about contracted players. We shouldn't be talking about wanting to have players come to our footy club."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says new backline coach and former Crow Ben Rutten will prove invaluable to the team.
"There's not many players that come from a key defender background into coaching, so we're really excited about what he can offer our key position players - not only backs, but also forwards and the rucks to a degree," Hardwick said about Rutten.
"He's got a really specialised skills-set that we're really looking forward to bringing into our footy club.
"He's a guy that's been working on his craft for a number of years - he hasn't just come straight out of playing and thrown his hat in the ring, he's been working as a coach whilst playing, which is exciting for us."
Richmond president Peggy O'Neal has thrown her full support behind embattled coach Damien Hardwick.
"I'm as disappointed as any fan. But I think fans can take confidence in knowing that everything that can be done, is being done to assess the reasons for this," O'Neal said.
"The football performance has gone backwards from where we were last year, but it doesn't mean that the entire direction of the club is wrong. We believe this is a temporary setback."
Richmond extends coach Damien Hardwick's contract until the end of the 2016 season.
"Having seen the impressive transformation our football team has made in the four years that Damien has been coach, the board had no hesitation in making the decision to extend his contract," Tigers president Peggy O'Neal said.
"We are convinced Damien has the right attributes to guide our playing group. He is totally driven in his quest to make Richmond the best team in the competition."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick fumes after believing that his side was robbed of a late goal in the Tigers' one-point loss to Fremantle.
Matt White's 23rd-minute shot on goal in the last term appeared likely to either bounce through or hit the post.
Instead, it crashed into the legs of the goal umpire and back into play. Fremantle's Stephen Hill picked the ball up and walked it through for a rushed behind, reducing the home side's lead to one point.
"I know it went through for a goal," Hardwick said.
"It crossed the line. Have you see the replay? Maybe we should have called a review, you would have thought. No? Seriously, in a tight game? Joke.
"There is a system in place. Use it, or don't bother."
Damien Hardwick says he deserved to be fined for making abusive comments towards an emergency umpire.
"It wasn't one of my finer moments," Hardwick said.
"With the state of the game, I got a bit carried away. I overstepped the mark. I regretted it straight away.
"I spoke to the emergency umpire Michael yesterday. He was a ripper fella. He likened me to a young John McEnroe, which is probably not a great look.
"They're such important people in the game. I told Michael I understood that and he accepted my apology."
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has been handed a suspended $5000 fine for swearing at an emergency umpire.
"Abuse towards umpires continues to impact negatively on the recruitment and retention of umpires throughout Australia," AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said in a statement.
"Damien Hardwick personally acknowledged the comments made and that he regretted doing so, and this was taken into account, while acknowledging umpires must not be subject to such approaches through the course of a game."
Friday, 16 March 2012
Richmond has extended coach Damien Hardwick's contract by a further two years.
"Damien was appointed two years ago to transform our football team and build a side that would compete with the best in the competition," Richmond president Gary March said.
"After two years, the board is absolutely convinced Damien is the right man to take this club forward and, as such, we have extended his contract.
"This two-year contract extension is a reflection of the belief we have in our football program and its capacity to deliver our fans what we all want: finals football."
Richmond coach Damien Harwick says he was emotional when told his contract would be extended beyond this season.
"It's funny how emotional you get when a something like this happens," Hardwick said.
"And it just goes to show how much it means to me, the players and the club. I'm very appreciative of Gary March and his board for making the decision."
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Richmond chief Brendon Gale says the club won't be influenced by outsiders when it comes to re-signing its coach after Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson publicly encouraged the Tigers to expedite the process to avoid any "uneasiness".
"We'll make an announcement when we're ready. We're a professional organisation and we'll conduct this process accordingly," Gale said.
"I can understand the context of those comments (by Clarkson). He's a good, loyal friend of Damien's both professionally and personally, and you probably expect that sort of comment from someone like Al.
"But it won't have a bearing on our process going forward. We'll confirm our position when we're ready and it won't distract us."
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick says suspended players Daniel Connors, Luke McGuane, Dean Polo and Ben Cousins have let him down after indulging in rowdy drunken antics at the team hotel in Sydney.
"I think all four have let me down. Dan needs to take some responsibility for his actions," Hardwick said.
"I just don't think they handled the situation well enough though. If someone actually had the balls to stand up and say 'Listen Dan, enough's enough, go to bed' [then] none of that would have happened."
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt says the players have seen new coach Damien Hardwick's intensity but he is not as tough as they first thought.
"He's not as hard as everyone thought he was going to be," Riewoldt told
"But he has got that mean streak about him that we've seen a bit of, that intensity.
"We've got a young coaching staff and a new vibrant game plan, which we're all looking forward to putting into place."
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Justin Leppitsch becomes the next member of Damien Hardwick's new team at Richmond after being appointed assistant coach in charge of the Tigers' backline.
"I'm excited about the challenge, to join a group that is on the right path, and I'm really keen to work with a new group of coaches and players," Leppitsch said.
"I've never been involved in one of the bigger AFL clubs before, and I'm looking forward to learning about the history and tradition Richmond is famous for."
Friday, 11 September 2009
Former Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews reveals he tried to get Damien Hardwick as an assistant and says that Hardwick will succeed as the new head coach of Richmond.
"I offered Damien a job with the Brisbane Lions when he retired from Port so I have a great regard for his character and capabilities," Matthews said.
"I would think he should do very well."
Thursday, 27 August 2009
With Damien Hardwick recently appointed coach of Richmond, Port Adelaide now turn their sights to former North Melbourne captain Adam Simpson for the role of assistant coach at the club.
"He's in the mix," chief executive Mark Haysman said.
"Obviously we're disappointed to miss out on Damien because we tried really hard to get him here and thought he would have been a great addition to our group but there's other good candidates out there and Adam's one of those."
Veteran Tiger Nathan Brown says he's prepared to move on if new coach Damien Hardwick decides hs is no longer required at the club.
"It's been a tough year, we're down the bottom and if they decide to move me on well and good, I'll accept that," Brown told the Nine Network.
"I love Richmond, I love the club and I'd love to be part of the rebuilding process.
"If I'm not then I'm not and I wish Damien well. Even if he does move me on, I think he's the right man for the job. He's a hard nut and he'll bring a very hard sort of focus to the football club and I hope the club gets back on its feet."
Richmond interim coach Jade Rawlings says he will work out where he is going after the season finishes after missing out on the head coaching gig at Richmond to Damien Hardwick.
"Naturally it was a disappointment, you don't put yourself in contention for a job like that unless you really want it," Rawlings said.
"My situation will be taken care of in the next month or so I would have thought."
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
The Tigers have announced that Damien Hardwick will take the reins at Punt Rd for the next three years.
New Richmond coach Damien Hardwick will look closely at the futures of Matthew Richardson and Ben Cousins in the coming weeks.
"I still probably think he's in the top two to three players at this club, and he's 34," Hardwick said of Richardson.
"We'll make decisions on that in the coming weeks, but he's still a very talented player."
Damien Hardwick talks about his blueprint for success in his new role as coach of Richmond.
"Every club I've gone to has had a great team-first culture and that's something I believe very strongly in," Hardwick said.
"I know it's easy to say, it's not easy to deliver - I think I can deliver a blueprint for success that's going to take Richmond to their 11th premiership in the not-too-distant future."
Friday, 21 August 2009
Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams says Damien Hardwick has only been offered an assistant's role despite media reports that a succession plan has been put in place by the club to replace him as senior coach after his two-year contract runs out.
"I haven't put any succession plan in place; that's only for you [the media] to think about," Williams said on Friday.
"It's really up to the club to identify [if Hardwick replaces me]. It's certainly not my job."
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Damien Hardwick today traveled to Adelaide to resume discussions with the Power on joining its coaching panel next year as a senior assistant coach.
Hardwick is understood to have met Port president Brett Duncanson, chief executive Mark Haysman, coach Mark Williams and football operations chief Peter Rohde in Adelaide while still being a contender for the senior coaching position at Richmond.
Friday, 14 August 2009
Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams believes Damien Hardwick will be a senior coach next year despite reports that Hardwick is being considered for an assistant role at the Power.
"Damien is very qualified for that position. We love him at Port Adelaide and if the opportunity arises that would be great," Williams said.
"But I'm thinking Damien's looking at senior coaching positions at the moment and currently, as I read it, this one is not available."
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Damien Hardwick appears to be on the cusp of securing the head coaching job at North Melbourne according to media reports.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says assistant coach Damien Hardwick is ready to become a head coach with vacancies available at either North Melbourne or Richmond.
"We've supported him all along. He's been in our system for five years and our view is that he's ready to coach senior football. It will be up to Richmond and the Kangaroos to determine whether that's the case as well," Clarkson said.
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Hawthorn assistant coach Damien Hardwick is a leading candidate for both the Richmond and North Melbourne coaching positions.
Monday, 22 June 2009
Hawthorn assistant Damien Hardwick would be a strong contender for future senior coaching jobs, says Alastair Clarkson.
"Damien is one of a number of guys who have been assistant coaches for a fair period of time who would relish the opportunity to coach at senior level," Clarkson said.
"I'm certain there are a number of guys throughout the industry who could do a very, very good job if they were given the role."