AFL world blindsided by Damien Hardwick’s decision to quit

The knee-jerk reaction from people close to Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has been revealed after he dropped a bomb on the AFL.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 16: Tigers head coach Damien Hardwick looks on before the round 18 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Richmond Tigers at Marvel Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

News of Damien Hardwick’s decision to quit his role as the coach of the Richmond Football Club sent shockwaves through the AFL world.

A text message was sent to all Richmond personnel on Monday night advising them of a meeting on Tuesday morning.

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It’s at this meeting that Hardwick is expected to formally announce to the team his decision to step down from his role.

Hardwick took over the reigns of the Richmond coaching job back in 2010 and after coming close to facing the axe, turned it around to lead the club to three premierships in four years.

He has a year and a half remaining on his current contract.

The bombshell announcement caught fans of the game completely offguard and left many wondering if the news was legitimate.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae simply couldn’t believe it, saying he “went into shock” after being told.

“His ability to back himself in and make strong decisions and play young players at the back of 2016 – he showed a lot of courage,” he said on AFL 360.

“He copped a lot of flak for that.

“Is it real that he’s actually moving on?

“It’s a tough job, I’m not going to lie to you.

“It’s relentless, you get tired and you’ve got to find energy sources. You get home and you’re exhausted.”

The news caught everyone off guard. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said Hardwick was an “inspiration” having come back from the brink to reach the AFL pinnacle.

“The success he bought to that footy club … (with) the amount of pressure – there’s pressure all the time and it’s a tough gig, that’s across the board, footy staff in general,” he said.

“The head coach takes the brunt of it.

“What an outstanding coach (Hardwick is).

“He turned the game for Richmond – they stuck with him.

“He’s definitely one I’ve been inspired by.

“He stuck to his guns, he went through a really tough time – he was the one that stuck right through, the club backed him in.”

Brownlow Medal winner Gerard Healy was left perplexed by the timing of the decision, coming after round 10 in the season.

“It’s so unusual. It’s Round 10 and they’re still a mathematical chance to play finals. It’s an extraordinary announcement from Tom Morris (SEN reporter) and it’s going to be interesting to see the man himself (Hardwick) when he fronts the media tomorrow,” Healy said on SEN.

Hardwick is out. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Herald Sun’s Mark Robinson said the news came completely out of left field and was a genuine bombshell.

“This is a bombshell. An absolute bombshell,” Robinson said on AFL 360.

“They were a couple of bad decisions away on the weekend from keeping their September finals hopes alive.

“We don’t know the reasons until Damien Hardwick speaks.

“We’re all just surmising here.

“He may be burnt out.

“She’s a tough business AFL coaching.”

The news left footy fans reeling with Hardwick’s decision to step down expected to throw the coaching carousel into chaos.

Triple M’s Rudi Edsall wrote: “That’s a pretty emphatic way to put a full stop an era. More of an exclamation mark really. Bloody hell.”

AFL journo Ashley Browne wrote: “Reckon Dimma might have learned a lesson from his great mate about the right time to leave. Perfect timing for him and his club. No chance for the relationship to be soured. What a coach he has been.”