Richmond can learn some of the lessons from Mark Thompson’s exit from the Cats in 2010 writes Cam Mooney
Mark Thompson’s sudden departure from the Cats more than a decade ago has strong parallels with three-time premiership mentor Damien Hardwick stepping down, Cam Mooney writes.
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Don’t change the menu, just give it a tweak.
That would be my message to Richmond’s next senior coach after the sudden departure of three-time premiership mentor Damien Hardwick.
It’s a point based on my own personal history, with clear parallels and similarities between the tenures of Hardwick and my former coach at the Cats, Mark Thompson.
Both Hardwick and Thompson took over struggling clubs with ageing lists and disappointing recent histories.
They had to build a football club, a football team, from the ground up.
A few seasons after their appointments, both had the support of the players but there was something wrong.
There were strong calls, both internally and externally, to sack the coach.
However, after a massive review of both clubs – 10 years apart – and the likes of Neil Balme arriving at just the right time, they tasted premiership success the following season.
By the time they left, they’d built a dynasty.
Whoever takes on the Richmond coaching job will be fortunate, walking into a powerhouse club with still a strong list surrounded by first rate support.
In a similar vein to Thompson’s departure after the 2010 season, there’s enough talent for the Tigers to challenge again in 2024 with a new voice coming from the top.
Don’t forget, plenty tipped the Tigers to make the top eight this year.
And that’s why I feel Hardwick has been totally selfless in his swift departure, just like Bomber was 13 years ago.
Not long after his exit, Bomber told me that players had stopped listening and the team needed a new voice, even though he could have easily coached for another five years.
He had made changes certain areas during his final season, but because we’d been drilled to play in a certain way for so many years, we kept reverting to old habits.
I think it’s the same with Dimma.
He knew he had taken the team as far as he could.
Make no mistake, Hardwick and Thompson were the reasons why both clubs enjoyed three flags over short periods.
However, they also had incredible support from their presidents, with Peggy O’Neal and Frank Costa, and two very, very good “football CEOs”, in Brendan Gale and Brian Cook.
There’s a big difference between a standard chief executive and one with plenty of footy knowledge and experience.
Both Gale and Cook know football clubs and footballers; they knew it wasn’t just about business.
On the field, there were also strong similarities in terms of a new game style which gave them strategic advantage in their premiership years of 2007 and 17.
And both their departures came as a shock.
The Cats had made the preliminary final in 2010 while you could argue the Tigers still have a few shots to fire.
It was a shock for me when Bomber left and I’m sure it is right now for the Richmond players.
When you go through such a successful era like that, the relationship you create with the head coach is pretty special.
So you’ve lost a mate, a father figure, because of the love and respect you’ve built over many years.
Bomber saw me go from a boy, to a man to a premiership player.
For many players, Bomber and Dimma were the only coaches they’d ever known.
However, the key to Richmond’s future success is to not change things too much.
Don’t change the menu, just give it a tweak.
Which is what Chris Scott did when he took over in 2011.
The club was also helped by a playing group which couldn’t rely on reputations alone and we had to prove ourselves again.
And we all know how that story ended.
It can be something similar for the Tigers next season.
Originally published as Richmond can learn some of the lessons from Mark Thompson’s exit from the Cats in 2010 writes Cam Mooney
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