Damien Hardwick is not placing a timeline on his AFL teaching profession after reaching the 300-game milestone in Richmond’s conflict with Collingwood.
Taking over the then battling Tigers forward of the 2010 season, Hardwick turns into the sixteenth man in AFL/VFL historical past on Friday night time to educate 300 video games.
But he turns into simply the fourth coach within the AFL period to have notched the double – 300 video games and three premierships – becoming a member of luminaries Mick Malthouse, Leigh Matthews and Alastair Clarkson.
Ahead of the blockbuster MCG conflict, Hardwick mirrored on his profession within the teaching sizzling seat, steering his crew to premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
He additionally spoke of the lean occasions like in 2016 when the membership missed the finals ending thirteenth, piling stress on his place with membership president Peggy O’Neal and chief govt Brendon Gale unwavering of their assist.
“It’s a great honour (to reach 300) especially to be a part of this great club,” Hardwick advised reporters.
“It’s just a reward for you know, everyone in our organisation really. I’ve been very, very fortunate to work with some great people, work with some great players.
“To take into consideration most likely the bravery that Peggy and Brendon confirmed when issues weren’t going so nicely in 2016.
“I’m forever indebted to those people in particular, but I think it’s a measure of a successful organisation they back their people in and I’m very fortunate to be a part of it.”
Asked whether or not a coach might keep too lengthy within the function, Hardwick felt there was no finish date so long as he continued to evolve.
The 50-year-old says he at all times seems to enhance by studying or mentors from inside and outdoors soccer.
He stated Melbourne NRL coach Craig Bellamy in his twenty first season with the Storm was an “incredible example,” whereas he additionally talked about ex-AFL coaches Kevin Sheedy and Mark Williams.
“Part of my challenge and the challenge of coaching full stop is you’re cooking your sausages in different ways to use, I think, an Allan Jeans (coach) analogy,” Hardwick stated.
“One of the things I pride myself and our club on is consistently improving in certain facets of our development.
“The actuality is as quickly as I cease bettering, that is most likely the time that I go away in order that’s a problem that everybody in our footy membership is charged with.
“It’s something I do reasonably well. “
Hardwick faces a recent problem towards the rampant Magpies with 4 key gamers, together with Dustin Martin, lacking by damage or suspension.
But he was it as a chance.
“It’s a challenge no doubt, they’re really quality players who have gone out,” Hardwick stated.
“But what we’re really happy with is the depth of talent that we have at the development level.
“We’re actually excited that these guys who we’re bringing in, they’re enjoying above the extent of VFL, in order that’s a optimistic for us. We’re actually excited to offer these guys an opportunity.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
