AFL 2024: Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick dismisses AFL-NRL code war

Far from taking on NRL, Damien Hardwick says the Suns and Gold Coast Titans can work together. And a quirky link with Des Hasler might help.

On the eve of the Gold Coast Suns and Titans’ respective seasons Damien Hardwick has dismissed the idea of a footy code war on the Glitter Strip and called on the two clubs to work together for future shared successes.

The triple-premiership AFL coach will take the reins at the Suns for the first time on Saturday afternoon against former club Richmond just hours before Des Hasler’s Titans lock horns with the Dragons only 10km away.

In an interesting twist of fate, both Hardwick and Hasler moved into the same apartment building in Burleigh after signing on to coach on the Gold Coast.

The Suns coach has previously shared his admiration for Hasler, with whom he has spoken to a handful of times – even though their schedules do not always align.

“He’s a great man, Des, really smart coach, so we wish him all the best (on Saturday),” Hardwick said.

“We don’t see each other that often because I think we’re both early risers. I’m leaving home at 5am, I think he’s leaving home at 4.30am – I can’t leave at 4.30am because my coffee shop doesn’t open until 5am.”

Part of the appeal of Hardwick coaching on the Gold Coast is the increased profile is expected to bring to Aussie rules in Queensland.

And though Hardwick is well aware of the code’s battle to gain a foothold in the NRL-dominated northern markets – a key reason for the Opening Round concept – he believes the Suns and Titans can still work together for the good of the Gold Coast.

“I think that’s part of the journey – (for) the Titans and us it’s really important,” he said.

“Both clubs have been starved for success and we’re sitting here trying to forge a path forward so the more we can work together is a good thing.

“I think there’s absolutely room for (cross-code collaboration).

“The more we’re working together, the better we’re going to be.

“One of the great things when I look at American sports is their cities support all of their teams. We should be the same. The more we’re using our headspace to forge a relationship and more importantly share ideas I think it can only help us.”

Damien Hardwick wants to build the AFL’s profile on the Gold Coast. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

HARDWICK SYSTEM A WORK IN PROGRESS

Damien Hardwick concedes his new-look Gold Coast Suns “haven’t been close” to their best footy over the pre-season, but he still expects a statement performance against Richmond on Saturday in front of a sellout home crowd.

The master coach declared the “nervousness and anxiety” of the first game of the season was so far no different to previous years, though he expected the tension to heighten closer to the first bounce.

“Probably as we get closer it will start to forge a little bit more of a build-up there,” Hardwick said of the looming clash against his former club.

“I live down near the beach and you start to see the Richmond supporters that have come up for the weekend.

“I wouldn’t say (playing Richmond gives an) extra edge. I’m a relatively competitive guy, so the edge is always there, but it would be nice to tick that box.

“There’s two sides who are about at the start of their journey with two new coaches. It’s probably going to be a bit scratchy and scrappy at various stages but both sides will be out there looking for the (win).”

Scratchy and scrappy just about sums up the Suns’ first two hitouts under Hardwick. They were well beaten by top-four hopefuls Brisbane and GWS in the pre-season.

It is clear the vaunted Hardwick system will take time to bear fruit on the Gold Coast. But the triple-premiership coach said that was no excuse not to give a good account of themselves on Saturday.

“We’re not going to be at our very best early, but you don’t want to be playing your best footy now,” Hardwick said.

Damien Hardwick says the Suns still have work to do. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“You want to be playing a standard that will hopefully get you the win, but we understand that our best footy is well and truly still in front of us.

“We always talk about the rule of 80. We’re looking for 80 per cent of what we’re about and we probably haven’t been close to that at this stage, but I think every week go through with regard to our coaching and learning and growth we (will) get better.

“We do have to remember it is a long season.

“We have a great history with regard to GWS and Collingwood that have probably gone through a similar journey to us and play a relatively similar game style – it took time for them to click, but when they did get it all of a sudden they got on a roll.”

The going will be a little easier for Hardwick against his former club on Saturday, with confirmation Dustin Martin and Toby Nankervis will not suit up against the Suns.

The Tigers had also previous ruled out spearhead Tom Lynch.

“You always like the marquee players to come up and the opposition to be at their best but for various reasons he (Martin) won’t play this weekend but … they have a lot of other matchwinners down there,” Hardwick said.

“Shai Bolton is an incredible player and they have some great midfielders there with Taranto, Hopper and Prestia, so we’re going to have our hands full regardless.”

Beyond facing his former side for premiership points, Hardwick said Saturday’s clash in front of a sellout crowd would bean opportunity to make a statement and show Suns fans what they can expect to see this season.

“I look at all the great sides that have got great stadiums and this stadium is awesome. What we want to do is fill it with more Gold Coast fans than opposition fans,” Hardwick said.

“But what we’ve got to do is fulfil our end of the bargain and win some bloody games.

“That’s on us as a footy club, and we understand that.

“We want to make it a venue where opposition sides are scared before they even come here.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick dismisses AFL-NRL code war