AFL round 11: Richmond Tigers coach Damien Hardwick explodes after costly error
You don’t have to be an expert lip-reader to decipher what Damien Hardwick yelled following Richmond’s “dumb” mistake on Saturday.
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Richmond Tigers coach Damien Hardwick fired off an explosive R-rated tirade after a “dumb” error ruined any chance of a comeback win against Port Adelaide.
Although Richmond were leading at three-quarter time during Saturday’s enthralling round 11 encounter at Adelaide Oval, Port Adelaide struck two consecutive goals immediately after the break.
With the Tigers now trailing by 11 points, superstar forward Dustin Martin gave away a 50-metre penalty after striking opponent Tom Rockliff in the throat.
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In the coaches’ box, Hardwick was visibly upset following the heated altercation, shaking his head in dismay.
But unfortunately, the worst was yet to come for the Richmond coach — as Rockliff sprinted alongside the umpire to take his free kick, Tigers utility Josh Caddy ran directly in front, blocking his path.
Although the umpire repeatedly yelled at Caddy to get out of the way, the 27-year-old did not attempt to change direction, and another 50-metre penalty was immediately awarded.
“That’s another 50, oh my goodness,” former Port Adelaide star Dwayne Russell exclaimed on Fox Footy.
“That is dumb. That’s just dumb football.”
Hardwick erupted from the viewing box, jumping to his feet and gesturing to throw his headphones to the floor, but wisely opted not to.
Eagle-eyed viewers were able to decipher what the 47-year-old yelled during his momentary outburst: “Josh, get out of the f***ing way you dumb c***.”
AFL Live Scores: Round 11 match centres
AFL LIVE SCORES: Round 11 match centres
The home crowd erupted as Rockliff kicked the goal directly in front of the posts, jeers and taunts echoing throughout the stadium. It was Port Adelaide’s third major in two minutes, and the spectators sensed an impending Power victory.
“You can see why Damien Hardwick has gone off in the coaches box,” four-time premiership player Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy.
“This is a ball that has gone from the defensive side of the centre box and is now a soft goal.
“We talk about Richmond’s experience, how they’ve been there and done that, and they tend to do all the right things — this is the complete opposite.
“What on earth is Josh Caddy doing? That’s someone that doesn’t know the rules. The umpire gave him a warning!
“Take a look at Damien Hardwick. Why would you want to be a coach?
“We don’t say it very often, but dumb football.”
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire also had zero sympathy for Caddy after his embarrassing blunder.
“To be honest, he umpire doesn’t need to give any warning, just give the free kick,” McGuire said.
“But he gave him every opportunity, so did the right thing by him, just didn’t listen.”
Richmond were unable to register a point in the final quarter, eventually suffering a 13.15 (93) to 11.6 (72) loss.
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After the final siren, Hardwick was brutally honest when discussing the twin 50 metres penalties with reporters.
“The 50-metre (penalties) are disappointing, there’s no doubt,” Hardwick said.
“We ask our guys to play to the line and sometimes they’re going to step over it. But they’ll address it. Our leaders will sit down and sort that out. We’ve got to be better in that area.
“Free kicks against we’re always relatively poor in that part of the game, and a lot of it is because of the way we play but we’ve got to probably tighten up a little bit from a discipline point of view.
“It was just poor, really poor.”
However, Hardwick had nothing but praise for Port Adelaide after the defeat.
“They were very, very good,” Hardwick told reporters.
“I can only go on what I’ve seen and I love the way they play, they attack the game, and I look at sides I’d pay money to watch, they’d be one of those sides.”
Originally published as AFL round 11: Richmond Tigers coach Damien Hardwick explodes after costly error