Damien Hardwick in tears, reveals ‘fatal mistake’ before quitting Richmond

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick has revealed the real reason he has quit the AFL club, breaking down in tears during the announcement.

Fox Sports News showed the moment Damien Hardwick wiped away tears.

Damien Hardwick has explained his shock decision to quit Richmond effective immediately.

The three-time Tigers premiership coach faced the press on Tuesday and was supported by the playing group.

His press conference comes after news first emerged on Monday night that Hardwick’s tenure at the club is over after 13 years, the longest serving coach in the history of the football club.

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Highly rated Richmond assistant coach Andrew McQualter has been appointed interim coach effective immediately and the club is now looking to find its next senior coach.

Hardwick said he had been thinking about stepping down for some time.

“It all just became a bit too much for me,” he said.

“I wasn’t going to be the coach of Richmond next year and I made the fatal mistake of watching ‘The Last Dance’ (documentary) and I thought what may have been.

The emotion was all too much for Damien Hardwick. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“Once I decided that that side of the equation was slipping away I started to question myself.

“As soon as I started to ask the question more, I started to understand what the question was going to be. If I couldn’t give 100 per cent, there was no way I was going to coach this football club.

“Once you’ve had more success, losses become harder, so I had a fair indication at the start of the year that I would like this to be my last year. As the season didn’t turn out as much as I would have liked I asked myself ‘am I the man for the job?’

“I’d rather leave too early than too late ... I want to make sure I leave the game loving the game.

“It was time for a different voice. I’ve pushed every button I can and I’ve tried to cook the sausages 1000 ways.”

The veteran coach broke down in tears when thanking the people who have supported him along the journey.

“The way this club supported me, gave me the best support available, the best resources available, it’s a testament to what I think we’ve created and a legacy that will continue to go on,” he said.

Hardwick was again emotional when first addressing his senior players, mentioning Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin, Dylan Grimes and Dustin Martin.

Fox Sports News showed the moment Damien Hardwick wiped away tears.

“You all mean the world to me. I love you all,” he said.

“I’ve enjoyed every aspect of being your coach, but I’ll enjoy every aspect of watching you go on with your careers and whatever you choose to do.

“From the bottom of my heart boys, I wish you all the best.”

Hardwick also wiped away a tear when addressing his family, which was sitting in the front row.

He singled out his ex-wife Danielle and new partner Alex.

The 50-year-old said he will now take time away from the game — and has no immediate plans to return to the football industry.

He said he was considering advice from Martin to “go to Ibiza” for a holiday.

“I’m just looking forward to a break,” he said.

“It’s been an incredible journey for 13-14 years but it is very consuming. The job of AFL coach is very, very tough. Don’t get me wrong I love it to death. But I need a break.”

Hardwick confirmed reports the demanding nature of the job was the real reason for his departure and said the introduction of the contentious football department “soft cap” — designed to cut down the costs clubs spend on coaches and support staff — made it even harder to carry on.

MELBOURNE. 23/05/2023. AFL. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick arrives a Punt Rd today. . Pic: Michael Klein

Richmond president John O’Rourke and chief executive Brendon Gale also fronted the media. Pic: Michael Klein

“That will always be an issue,” he said.

There have been rumblings in recent weeks the club is facing a bleak few years as it faces a re-build after so many years at the top of the table.

There has also been criticism of the club’s decision to use top draft picks to recruit senior players in recent years, including Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper.

Despite this, Hardwick said his successor will be well placed to lead the club to a bright future.

“We’ve got an outstanding group,” he said.

“Whilst we did invest significant draft capital. We’ve brought in two players in Taranto and Hopper that are going to be outstanding players for the next 6-7 years. So whichever coach takes over is going to be in a very good place.

“This list in a very, very good place. This club is in a very good place going forward.”

Coupled with Alastair Clarkson’s move to take an indefinite break from coaching at North Melbourne, the Hardwick news had industry pundits questioning if there is a bigger issue among the sport’s coaching fraternity.

Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified, Caroline Wilson said coaches have been treated appallingly since spending caps were forced upon clubs during the Covid crisis.

“This is a crisis for the industry,” Wilson said. “The AFL has botched the soft cap.

Damien Hardwick (centre) is Richmond’s longest serving coach. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Coaches feel like the scum of the industry, one coach said that recently to Gillon McLachlan.

“Coaches have been told, ‘you’re paid too much, we are going to cut your wages, we’re going to cut your programs by $3 million a year’, after capping them in the first place.

“And now, when the game has never been richer, according to Gillon McLachlan, they’re giving them $2 million less than they were getting pre-Covid, while the AFL’s (executives are) bringing home fat salaries.”

The soft cap, also known as the football department tax, was implemented to equalise club spending outside of the hard salary cap.

It was only late last week that Hardwick was asked about Alastair Clarkson, his mentor at Hawthorn, before he became a head coach at the Tigers. Clarkson last week stunned the game by announcing his premature decision to step away from Kangaroos coaching duties.

More to come...

Originally published as Damien Hardwick in tears, reveals ‘fatal mistake’ before quitting Richmond