Damien Hardwick quits as Richmond’s coach in bombshell announcement

Fresh and dramatic details are emerging after Richmond coach Damien Hardwick dropped a bombshell on the AFL about his coaching future.

Hardwick is out. Pic: Michael Klein

Richmond’s Damien Hardwick is reported to have called time on his tenure as the coach of the club.

News broke on Monday night in what is a bombshell announcement that will shake up the Tigers moving forward.

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The announcement is expected to be made official tomorrow despite Hardwick, 50, having a year and a half to run on his contract.

Richmond have endured a rough start to the 2023 season having won only three out of their opening 10 games. They suffered a painful one-point loss at the hands of Essendon yesterday.

“Damien Hardwick will tomorrow inform his players that he has quit Richmond,” Tom Morris said on SEN.

“The reason behind this decision is largely burn out.”

Channel 7’s Tom Browne reports the Hardwick decision is expected to see him stand down effective immediately.

Andrew McQualter is set to take over from Hardwick, according to the Herald Sun’s Scott Gullan.

Richmond will take on Port Adelaide in round 11 on Sunday afternoon at the MCG.

Hardwick becomes the second coach over the past week to step down after Alastair Clarkson departed his role at North Melbourne.

Hardwick is out. Pic: Michael Klein

“A text message was sent to all staff at about seven o’clock calling them to a mandatory meeting tomorrow morning,” Gerard Whateley said on AFL 360.

Mark Robinson added: “This is a bombshell, an absolute bombshell. They were a couple of bad decisions away on the weekend from keeping their September finals hopes alive.”

Hardwick is Richmond’s longest-serving coach and led the club to three premierships in a four year period.

He has been in the position now for 13 and a half years, being at the helm for 307 games and currently holding a 56 per cent win-loss ratio. He’s currently the longest serving coach in the AFL, ahead of Sydney’s John Longmire and Geelong’s Chris Scott.

The decision to call time early on his contract could set off a carousel of moves among the AFL’s coaching ranks.

End of an era. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

News of Hardwick’s decision to stand down from his role sent shockwaves through the AFL community.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae couldn’t believe the news: “He’s changed the game in a lot of ways. I’m talking about it like’s he’s passed away. Is it real that he’s actually moving on?

It’s so stressful! It’s a tough job. It’s relentless. You get tired, you’ve got to find energy sources, constantly trying to find the right energy to give to your playing group. This is a tough job. I’m in a bit of shock to be honest. Having worked with Dimma, he’s an incredible coach. I’m sure the Richmond footy club will salute him well if it is the case.”

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.”

"He changed the game in a lot of ways!"

Craig McRae and Matthew Nicks speak on Damien Hardwick's exit from Richmond.

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North Melbourne premiership player David King was asked about the future of Hardwick in an interview with news.com.au earlier this month.

“If Damien wants to coach them, of course he is. How can you question his credentials or CV in terms of what he’s done for Richmond. It’s just if he’s looking for a change or Richmond decide they need a change - a different voice, different message,” King said.

“Maybe Damien thinks he’s got the most out of this group, he’s run the rag dry. Only he would know the answer to that. And if he does feel that way, there would be suitors.

“It’s as simple as that. They’re not playing the best football at the moment. The damage when they get possession of the ball is no longer there, which has been alarming really. 

“They’ve lost their real potency, which has always been a hallmark of Damien Hardwick-coached teams.”