Triple-premiership coach Damien Hardwick is ready to element the explanations behind his resolution to stop Richmond in a bombshell transfer that has sparked the prospect of change at rival AFL golf equipment.
Hardwick is predicted to entrance a press convention on Tuesday morning, when he’ll handle probably the most sensational mid-season teaching departure in current reminiscence.
It is believed burnout from the stress of senior teaching has been an element within the 50-year-old’s shock name after 307 video games in cost over 14 seasons.
Hardwick is the longest-serving coach in Richmond’s historical past and can go down as one of many membership’s all-time greats alongside Tom Hafey, having led the Tigers to premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
There shall be hypothesis about Hardwick’s future and whether or not – or when – he might coach once more at one other membership subsequent 12 months or past.
Richmond can even transfer rapidly to evaluate the teaching market, with assistant coach Andrew McQualter prone to take the reins on an interim foundation.
Port Adelaide’s Ken Hinkley is out of contract on the finish of this season, West Coast’s Adam Simpson is below mounting stress after a horror run and Stuart Dew can hardly afford one other 12 months with out September motion at Gold Coast.
There can also be a cloud hanging over North Melbourne, with Alastair Clarkson on indefinite go away from the membership.
Hinkley, who rejected overtures from Essendon final 12 months, was runner-up to Hardwick for the Richmond job in late 2009 earlier than profitable the Power function forward of the 2013 season.
Hinkley and Port Adelaide have repeatedly said they’ve delay contract talks till at the very least August, although that might now change.
The Power could also be eager to lock within the 56-year-old after seven straight wins which have seen the membership rocket into premiership competition.
McQualter is tipped to take cost for Richmond’s conflict with Port Adelaide on Sunday on the MCG.
Former senior coaches David Teague and Ben Rutten are additionally on the Tigers’ panel of assistants and will take over if required.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae stated he was “shocked” by Hardwick’s resolution to stop when the news broke on Monday night time.
McRae labored as an assistant below Hardwick by way of the 2017-2020 glory years and stated his former mentor had coached with “courage” in a job that grinds folks down.
“You get tired. You’ve got to find energy sources,” McRae advised Fox Footy.
“You’re constantly trying to find the right balance to find the right energy to give to your playing group.
“You discover the power to your gamers and you then get residence and also you’re exhausted. Your spouse and household need you to search out power too.”
Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, who stepped down midway through the 2021 season, wondered whether Hardwick had lost the hunger to continue with Richmond sliding out of premiership contention.
The Tigers have won three and drawn one of 10 games this season, having failed to win a final since the 2020 premiership.
“This could be an indication that he does not really feel like he has the power to have the ability to put in, that he isn’t fairly as hungry,” Buckley advised Fox Footy.
“It would possibly solely be one or two per cent off. Only he would know precisely what it’s. He’s the one one who is aware of how he feels internally.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
