Damien Hardwick apologises for ‘overstepping the mark’ during a Richmond VFL match

Damien Hardwick has apologised for his behaviour at a Richmond VFL game last week, admitting he overstepped the mark after verbally abusing a rival player.

Damien Hardwick has apologised for his antics at the VFL. Picture: Getty Images

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has apologised for “overstepping the mark,” revealing his mother gave him a ‘stern’ talking to following allegations he verbally abused an opposition player during a VFL match last weekend.

The Herald Sun this week revealed the triple premiership coach allegedly screamed threatening language at Williamstown players during Richmond’s VFL clash at Punt Road Oval on Saturday.

Sources at the game said Hardwick, the AFL’s longest-serving current senior coach, called opposition players “weak f —king pricks” and challenged them.

Senior Williamstown officials said the club was seeking a “please explain” from Richmond after the embarrassing exchange, which is being looked into by the AFL.

Speaking on Thursday, Hardwick said he regretted his actions.

“I understand my position, I’ve got to be better than that,” Hardwick said.

“I’ve got to probably be judged to a higher standard and I understand that.

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Damien Hardwick has apologised for his behaviour at the VFL. Picture: Getty Images

“What I will ask is that I am human, I’m going to make mistakes and there’s no doubt that I overstepped the mark and the reality is I’m very passionate about my players.

“I always have been and I always will be, but as I said I made a mistake and the reality is I’m going to make mistakes going forward.

“Hopefully not too many, but I’ll always defend my players and you guys know that, (but) I probably didn’t need to lean over the fence and yell, but that’s me.

“What makes me good makes me bad.”

He said he was yet to apologise to Williamstown player Darby Henderson, who was on the end of the alleged spray.

“I haven’t at this stage and once again once I’m in here these four walls I just continue doing my work, but look if they require that I’ll certainly do that,” he said.

Hardwick said the AFL was yet to speak to him directly, but his mother certainly had.

“Not from the AFL but my mum Pam, who gave me a very stern reminder about my behaviour,” he said.

Hardwick said he had overstepped the mark. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s funny how you’re still scared of your mother at the age of 49.

“But look, the AFL asked for some clarification and we gave them that … they sought clarification, so whether that’s an investigation (or not), they haven’t spoken to me.

“I can’t control that, all I do know is I’m very passionate about my players.

“Did I overstep the mark? Yeah I probably did.”

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.

Hardwick would not be drawn on exactly what he said to the Williamstown player.

“What I’d really like to do is move on with the game this week,” he said.

“I think I’ve apologised for my behaviour and I’d really like to talk about the game and Shane Edwards’ 300th and all the positive things that are happening in the game of footy at the moment.”

Originally published as Damien Hardwick apologises for ‘overstepping the mark’ during a Richmond VFL match