An emotional Damien Hardwick has defined the explanations for his shock exit at Richmond, saying it “all became a bit too much” and he couldn’t supply any extra to the membership he led to 3 premierships.
Hardwick, who led Richmond to flag success in 2017, 2019 and 2020, gained’t have a farewell recreation towards Port Adelaide this weekend, with the choice to take instant impact.
The 50-year-old mentioned he had an inkling at the beginning of the yr that this can be his remaining season, with the choice turning into clear in his thoughts previously two weeks.
Hardwick mentioned he “would rather leave too early than too late” and mentioned the time was proper for the gamers to listen to a contemporary voice on the helm.
“It’s been an incredible ride… I couldn’t have wished a better place to have my journey as an AFL coach,” he advised Tuesday’s packed press convention at Punt Road.
“It just all became a bit too much for me.
“I’d sort of made the decision that I wasn’t going to be the coach of Richmond next year.
“Once I’d decided that part of the equation started to slip away, then I started to question myself… as soon as I started asking the question more, I started to understand what the answer was going to be.
“The best thing for myself was to step aside if I couldn’t give 100 per cent.
“If I couldn’t give this playing group, this club, these people beside me the very best of Damien Hardwick, I wasn’t prepared to see it out.”
Hardwick mentioned he “just needs a break” – and revealed star Tiger Dustin Martin had provided him journey recommendation.
“Dustin suggested I go to Ibiza,” Hardwick laughed.
Hardwick leaves the Tigers as their longest-serving coach in historical past, overseeing 307 video games throughout 14 seasons.
“The Richmond Football Club has been the love of my life,” Hardwick mentioned.
Richmond president John O’Rourke paid tribute to Hardwick’s legacy.
“History was created under his watch and for that we will be forever indebted,“ he said.
Hardwick was the subject of intense speculation and pressure in 2016 when the Tigers slumped to 13th. But the club’s decision to back in the coach proved a masterstroke.
“He was a good coach and the evidence bore that out,” CEO Brendon Gale mentioned on Tuesday of the pivotal determination seven years in the past to stay with Hardwick.
“Fundamentally we thought we had a fine person and a very good coach.
“… it was about ignoring the noise and the rest is history.”
There shall be hypothesis in regards to the 50-year-old’s future and whether or not – or when – he might coach once more at one other membership subsequent yr or past.
Assistant coach Andrew McQualter will take the caretaker reins for the remainder of the season.
– with Shayne Hope
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
