Tiger’s culture will be tested by Damien Hardwick turmoil

Richmond will have to band together to stop coach Damien Hardwick’s love life undoing a three-time premiership team.

Damien Hardwick and wife Danielle. Picture: Getty Images

It’s not uncommon for people to find love in a workplace. It happens every day, but for some in a public role it can mean much more than just a relationship.

Just ask outgoing Channel 9 CEO Hugh Marks.

Plenty happens in football clubs but it’s not often the head coach, who has helped deliver three premierships, breaks up with his much loved wife and starts up a relationship with a younger staff member. The AFL has frowned upon workplace relations in the past so what do they make of this? And what questions would the club leaders, Brendon Gale and Peggy O’Neal, be asking?

The Tigers have battled plenty this season and still managed to achieve the ultimate success.

The group is resilient, committed, skilled, strong and tough.

Richmond’s commitment to each other will be tested. Picture: Sarah Reed

But this is an off-field issue which has caused some concern.

We still don’t know the full story of what happened when All-Australian defender Alex Rance suddenly pulled the pin and retired while on the cusp of a comeback from injury.

But the Tigers didn’t capitulate after that bombshell and under the steady leadership of Gale and O’Neal, as well as Hardwick, they are very unlikely to falter this time either.

Hardwick’s personal life is private, but he has often willingly brought up his wife and it is now about workplace conduct and standards.

The club has said it is aware of the relationship and it hasn’t contravened any rules under its human resources policy.

Hardwick’s new partner Alexandra Crow.

What isn’t up for dispute is that it has got staff talking, and some of the playing group who were close to Danielle, affectionately referred to by Hardwick as Mrs Hardwick, are said to be upset. Some senior figures in the industry are also uncomfortable about the perception.

The fallout from Rance’s departure was relatively contained despite rumours doing the rounds about the circumstances leading to his exit.

More innuendo has swirled about Hardwick, and more may be discussed about his position moving forward.

For a club that has overcome so much adversity it may just be another hurdle. But all that remains to be seen.

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Originally published as Tiger’s culture will be tested by Damien Hardwick turmoil