VFL player Darby Henderson tells of shock at ‘bizarre’ spray from Damien Hardwick

A VFL footballer allegedly verbally abused by Richmond coach Damien Hardwick mid-game says he was shocked at the “weird” outburst.

A footballer allegedly verbally abused by Damien Hardwick at a VFL match has spoken of his shock at being on the receiving end of a ­“bizarre” spray from the Richmond coach.

And the player’s father hit out at the AFL triple premiership coach, saying somebody in such a “privileged position” should know better.

Williamstown forward Darby Henderson, who is studying to become a teacher, said he got the surprise of his life after realising the person hurling abuse at him during a match in Melbourne on Saturday was Hardwick.

Tigers head coach Damien Hardwick. Picture: Getty Images

“I heard what was coming from above and didn’t know who it was, then sort of looked up and saw that it was Dimma (Hardwick),’’ he said.

“It was a bit of a weird one. It was just a bit strange … a bit bizarre.”

The Herald Sun on Monday reported claims Hardwick shouted that a Williamstown player was a “weak f---ing prick” in a verbal tirade that shocked spectators and led Williamstown to seek an explanation from Richmond.

Hardwick’s outburst came about five minutes after Henderson, 21, had been flung into a fence by Richmond’s Rhyan Mansell early in the clash at the Punt Road Oval, then struck him in retaliation, an offence for which the player was reported.

Some witnesses said they also heard Hardwick say “come over here and I’ll show you how tough you are”, but Richmond denied that claim.

Henderson said the witness accounts reported in Monday’s Herald Sun aligned with what he heard and had been told by spectators.

“It was all a bit of a blur … but I read what you guys had written, that is spot on from memory,” he said.

“He was going pretty hard at me … it would have been five or six minutes (from the incident) before I came off, so obviously he kept it in mind and he was waiting there.

“One of the support staff sort of started going back at him, but I just kept my mouth shut. He might have been having a fair bit to say to the support staff, too.”

Williamstown forward Darby Henderson says he got the surprise of his life to be on the receiving end of the ‘bizarre spray’. Picture: Getty Images

Despite being targeted by the AFL’s longest-serving current senior coach, the university student said he had “no hard feelings”.

“I was a little bit surprised when Dimma was there,” he said.

“I understand he was sticking up for one of his young players … it was probably in the heat of the moment, and I have no hard feelings.”

Henderson’s dad Brett said Hardwick was probably “a good person” and had “an emotional edge” as an AFL coach, but was out of line to verbally abuse his son.

“To hear the outburst from Hardwick was disappointing as he is in a privileged position,” he said.

Williamstown sought a “please explain” from Richmond and it is believed Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale was involved in talks between the clubs.

A clash erupts between Williamstown and Richmond players at the VFL match. Picture: AFL

Williamstown chief executive Ashley Baker on Monday said his club would not make a complaint to the AFL or be taking the matter further.

“As far as we are concerned as a club, the case is closed and it’s done,” he said.

“There is no further follow-up required from us and there has been no further discussion about it from our end.

“We’ve got no further issue with it.”

Richmond on Monday ­declined to comment.

In a statement on Sunday it said: “The club acknowledges there was an exchange of words following an incident in the first quarter which led to a Williamstown player being reported for rough conduct.

“As far as the club is concerned, that is the end of the matter.”

The AFL said it was “seeking some further information from Richmond” regarding the exchange.

Originally published as VFL player Darby Henderson tells of shock at ‘bizarre’ spray from Damien Hardwick