Damien Hardwick’s 3AW ban after Caroline Wilson’s takedown
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has frozen out 3AW after Caroline Wilson took aim at his marriage breakdown.
Confidential
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Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has frozen out radio station 3AW for the past six months.
Hardwick’s stance is in response to a pre-season comment piece written by The Age’s Caroline Wilson suggesting that his legacy at the Tigers would be tarnished after his marriage split and relationship with a club staffer emerged.
The personal news, revealed by the Herald Sun in January, led to some tension within the club.
The station confirmed a report on Footy Classified on Monday night suggesting Hardwick had taken issue with Wilson’s article and refused to go on any of their programs.
Hardwick had always made himself available for pre-game interviews and 3AW is a broadcast partner of the AFL.
Station sources said it was a strange and staggering decision considering the Sunday commentary team includes Richmond legends Kevin Bartlett and Matthew Richardson.
Wilson is only on one pre-game segment each weekend.
In her article Wilson suggested Hardwick’s decision to leave his wife Danielle and embark on a serious relationship with a younger and more junior colleague at Richmond has tarnished his leadership and risks tarnishing his legacy.
Richmond’s 2021 season is on the brink with the club falling outside the eight after its loss to the Gold Coast last week.
The Tigers, who have won three out of the last four premierships, have had a rocky season with injury and off-field indiscretions.