Robbo: Damien Hardwick’s private life is no one’s business, but, if Tigers stumble, questions will be asked

Typically, Damien Hardwick gave away very little on Monday. But with a particular comment, the spotlight turned to Peggy O’Neal and Brendon Gale, writes Mark Robinson.

Damien Hardwick did not touch on discussions, if any, he had with Tigers CEO Brendon Gale over his personal life. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Damien Hardwick chose radio for his first interview to talk about his marriage break-up and its effect on the football club.

If listeners wanted a titillating warts and all offering from the coach — when, why, how long — they would be disappointed with the outcome.

In normal times, Hardwick likes to shut down commentary about topics he doesn’t want to discuss, but Monday might just be a record for him.

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Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has addressed his marriage breakdown for the first time. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

From the top, Hardwick said: “I’m very much of the opinion people’s private lives should be just that, which is private.”

“I know sections of the media won’t treat it that way, but that’s how I’m treating it first and foremost.

“Myself and Danielle’s No.1 priority will, and always has been, our three beautiful kids and I’m very proud of the kids and the job Danielle and I have done in raising them.

“To finish the topic off really, it’s been a difficult time for everyone and out of respect for Danielle and the kids, my private life is not something I’m very comfortable speaking about.”

Bang. Quintessential Hardwick: Answer the question, be suitably respectful to the question and then try to introduce the next topic in the same answer.

Damien Hardwick brought wife Danielle into club life, but the relationship has since soured. Picture: Getty Images

He’s absolutely right in what he says about private lives being private.

His problem — and he might not see at as a problem — is he brought his private life to the footy club.

In numerous press conferences in the past he has mentioned the profound impact of “Mrs Hardwick” on him and the club

It’s why radio commentator Tim Watson yesterday didn’t allow Hardwick to shoot down the questioning.

Just how does he think the marriage breakdown and his new relationship with a Richmond staffer, Alexandra Crow, will affect the players?

Hardwick spoke of distractions bringing down great teams.

The fact he brought up this line of thinking does tell us that these events have the potential to be a distraction.

Damien Hardwick and Dustin Martin at an AFLW game. Picture: Michael Klein

“We just finished a terrific pre-season camp and we always speak about things that are distractions in our lives and distractions that might bring about the demise of great teams,’’ he said.

“That’s the reality of competition, sides are always dealing with those distractions, but sides that deal with it best come out on top.’’

Clearly, time will tell.

Hardwick yesterday did not address — or was he asked — about the depth of his conversations with president Peggy O’Neal or chief executive Brendon Gale, or with captain Trent Cotchin.

As much as Hardwick said all he wanted to yesterday, the topic of him leaving his wife for a younger woman who works at Richmond and the club’s concern about that, if they have any, will be addressed again soon enough.

O’Neal and Gale will be under the spotlight in their next interviews.

Questions will be asked of Richmond powerbrokers Peggy O’Neal and Brendon Gale if the club suffers in the wake of coach Damien Hardwick’s high profile marriage split. Picture: AAP

Indeed, if the Tigers’ season falls apart early, Hardwick will likely be asked to address the elephant in the room yet again.

Time will tell.

As for Hardwick, he, like any person, has the right to choose how happy he wants to be in life.

Some people already hate him for the decision to dump his wife, some are indifferent and others couldn’t care less.

It should be absolutely no one’s business outside the parties involved, notwithstanding the pain it has caused.

But, in a football sense, if it does affect the way the Tigers play and prepare under their banner of vulnerability, care and authenticity, then more questions loom.

For Hardwick, O’Neal, Gale and the skipper.

Until then, this topic should be finished.