Damien Hardwick

Damien Patrick Hardwick (born 18 August 1972) is a current Australian rules football coach and former player who is the head coach of the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League.[1] He is the former senior coach of the Richmond Football Club, serving in the role between 2010 and mid-2023 inclusive and winning three premierships.[2]

Damien Hardwick
Hardwick in February 2020
Personal information
Full name Damien Patrick Hardwick
Nickname(s) Dimma
Date of birth (1972-08-18) 18 August 1972
Original team(s) North Melbourne U19's/Springvale F.C
Draft No. 87, 1992 national draft
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 82 kg (181 lb)
Position(s) Wingman/Defender
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1993–2001 Essendon 153 (13)
2002–2004 Port Adelaide 54 (1)
Total 207 (14)
Coaching career3
Years Club Games (W–L–D)
2010–2023 Richmond 307 (170–131–6)
2024– Gold Coast 000 (0–0–0)
Club total
307 (170–131–6)

2020		 Representative
Victoria
001 (1–0–0)
Total 308 (171–131–6)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2004.
3 Coaching statistics correct as of 2023.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Hardwick played 207 AFL games as a defender, comprising 153 games for Essendon (1993–2001) and 54 games for Port Adelaide (2002–2004). He won premierships with each club, in 2000 and 2004 respectively.

Hardwick was appointed head coach of Richmond at the end of the 2009 season, in which the club had placed second-last. In 2013, Hardwick's fourth season in charge, Richmond returned to the finals after an eleven-year absence, and in 2017 they defeated Adelaide in the Grand Final to claim their first premiership since 1980. Hardwick also coached Richmond to the 2019 and 2020 premierships and is the longest-tenured coach in the club's history.

Early life

He attended St Joseph's College in Ferntree Gully. Hardwick was a key player in the school's football side, which was highly competitive against other private schools in the EIS sports program. In football, Hardwick was usually on the field for most of the game and known to be a tough, hard working, and versatile player who kept stability in play for his side. Although he was often outclassed by others on field, his all round abilities were vital to the side.

AFL playing career

Essendon

Beginning his AFL career with the Essendon Football Club in 1994, Hardwick was known as a tough, solid defender. His aggressive nature sometimes got him into trouble at the AFL Tribunal. He was a crucial part of Essendon's 2000 premiership side.[3][4]

Hardwick played for Essendon from 1994 until 2001 for a total of 153 games and 13 goals. He was also a member of Essendon's 2000 premiership team.[5]

Port Adelaide

He was traded from Essendon to the Port Adelaide Football Club at the end of the 2001 season,[6] and played with the side from 2002 until his retirement at the end of the 2004 season.[3] He was part of Port's premiership win in 2004. In the 2004 Grand Final he won three free kicks at crucial times, including a reversal against Jason Akermanis which cost the Brisbane Lions a shot at goal.[7]

Hardwick played for Port Adelaide from 2002 until 2004 for a total of 54 games and one goal. He was also a member of Port Adelaide's 2004 premiership team.[8]

AFL coaching career
Hardwick being interviewed by Tom Harley in 2013

Hawthorn Football Club assistant coach

In 2005, Hardwick began working as an assistant coach under senior coach Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn.[9]

In 2007, Hardwick was shortlisted for the senior coaching job at Melbourne Football Club, however he was unsuccessful, with the position going to Dean Bailey. Following this application he was also shortlisted for the senior coaching job at Essendon Football Club to replace the outgoing Kevin Sheedy however he was overlooked in favour of former Richmond captain Matthew Knights.[10]

Richmond Football Club

On August 25, 2009, Hardwick received his first senior coaching job when he was appointed as the senior coach of Richmond Football Club for three years.[11][12] Hardwick replaced Richmond Football Club caretaker senior coach Jade Rawlings, who replaced Terry Wallace, after Wallace resigned during the middle of the 2009 season, when the Tigers were struggling.[13][14] In March 2012, Hardwick agreed to a two-year contract extension.[15] On 11 December 2013, club president, Peggy O'Neal, announced that Hardwick had accepted a two-year contract extension that tied him to the club at least until the end of the 2016 season.[16] In 2016, Hardwick agreed to a two-year contract extension to the end of the 2018 season. In 2017, Hardwick coached Richmond to their first premiership since 1980 and their 11th overall with a 48-point victory over the Adelaide Crows. In 2019, Hardwick coached Richmond to another premiership and their 12th overall. Richmond beat GWS Giants by 89 points. In 2020, Hardwick coached Richmond to their third premiership in four years, and 13th overall. He also coached the Victoria State of Origin side in the one-off 2020 State of Origin match that was played on 28 February 2020 at Marvel Stadium.[17]

Hardwick's first season at Richmond as senior coach in the 2010 season did not begin well, with nine straight losses to start the season as well as a few disciplinary issues arising at the club. However, in round 10 the Tigers had a breakthrough win; defeating Port Adelaide by 47 points in extremely wet conditions in Adelaide. They also set a new record for the most tackles ever made in an AFL match (142) since records began in 1987,[18] and kept Port Adelaide to their lowest ever score.[19] The club went on to win five more games making a total of six in Hardwick's first season. They finished the season in 15th position.[20] Richmond under Hardwick over the next 2 seasons continue to show improvement winning 8 games and a draw in the 2011 season, improving that to 10 wins and a draw in the 2012 season. In the 2013 season, Hardwick coached Richmond to its first finals series since 2001, and only its third since 1982. Carlton defeated Richmond by 20 points in the elimination final after the Tigers led by 26 points at half-time, eliminating Richmond from the finals series.[21][22] In the 2014 season, Hardwick's team started the year very poorly, having a win–loss record of 3–10 at one stage. But remarkably, the Tigers went on to win their last nine matches of the home and away season to just make it into the finals. Richmond were however beaten convincingly by Port Adelaide by 57 points in the Elimination Final, finishing the season in eighth place.

Hardwick began the 2015 season under pressure to make amends for their past two failed Elimination Finals. It didn't start well, losing 4 out of the first 6 before recovering to finish the season in 5th place with 15 wins, same ladder position and win–loss record as 2013. Richmond came up against North Melbourne in the Elimination Final, but once again failed and Hardwick's team suffered their third consecutive first week finals exit. The 2016 season was not a successful year for Hardwick as the Tigers finished the season with just 8 wins from 22 games. The highlight was the round 8 win against the Sydney Swans when Sam Lloyd kicked a goal after the siren. They finished 13th on the premiership ladder, their worst ladder position in four seasons.

Hardwick in 2017

In the 2017 season, Hardwick coached Richmond to their eleventh VFL/AFL premiership, defeating the Adelaide Crows by 48 points. After becoming the first coach in 37 years to guide Richmond to a grand final win in the 2017 AFL Grand Final, Hardwick was chosen as the AFLCA Coach of the Year.[23] He joined a very small group to win three AFL premierships with three clubs as player and coach, ending Richmond's 37 Year drought in the process.

In the 2018 season, Hardwick followed up his successful 2017 season by coaching Richmond to their first minor premiership since 1982 and to the finals. Richmond were however eliminated by eventual runners-up Collingwood by 39 points in the Preliminary Final.

In the 2019 season, Hardwick became a two-time premiership coach, guiding Richmond to their second premiership in three years and twelfth overall with a resounding 89 point win over GWS Giants in the 2019 AFL Grand Final.[24] It was the third-highest margin of victory in a grand final.[25]

In the 2020 season, which was significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in Australia, Hardwick coached Richmond to their third premiership in four years and became a three-time premiership coach. Richmond finished third on the ladder at the end of the home-and-away season (with a record of 12 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw).[26] They lost to the Brisbane Lions (10.9.69 to 8.6.54) in their qualifying final, defeated the St Kilda Saints (12.8.80 to 6.13.49) in their semi-final, and defeated Port Adelaide (6.10.46 to 6.4.40) in their preliminary final. They defeated the Geelong Cats by 31 points (12.9.81 to 7.8.50) in the grand final at The Gabba – the first grand final to be played outside Victoria and the first night-time grand final. Hardwick was heavily featured in the Prime Video web-series Making Their Mark which documented the 2020 AFL season.[27][28][29][30]

Despite aiming to become the seventh team to win three consecutive premierships, the 2021 season was not a successful year for Hardwick as the Tigers finished the season with just 9 wins from 22 games. With a combination of multiple injured players and a lack of consistent form, Richmond finished 12th on the premiership ladder, their worst ladder position since 2016 and failed to make finals for the first time in five years.[31]

On 22 May 2023, Hardwick unexpectedly announced his immediate resignation from his role as Senior coach of the Richmond Football Club, mid-season after Round 10, 2023 . The reason for his resignation was given due to burnout and the stress involved as being a senior coach.[32][33][34][35][36][37] Hardwick was then replaced by assistant coach Andrew McQualter as caretaker senior coach of Richmond Football Club for the remainder of the 2023 season.[38][39]

Gold Coast Suns

On 21 August 2023, Hardwick was announced as the senior coach of the Gold Coast Suns on a six-year contract, starting from the 2024 season.[1][40][41][42][43] Hardwick replaced Gold Coast Suns caretaker senior coach Steven King, who replaced Stuart Dew after Dew was sacked in the middle of the 2023 season.[44]

Statistics

Playing statistics
[45]
Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
1994 Essendon 39176417610728362290.40.210.46.316.63.61.7
1995 Essendon 3916211239722038310.10.17.76.113.82.41.9
1996 Essendon 39171117010227260220.10.110.06.016.03.51.3
1997 Essendon 3915321778726455260.20.111.85.817.63.71.7
1998 Essendon 11230132511744287430.00.014.15.119.23.81.9
1999 Essendon 11200024610835451320.00.012.35.417.72.61.6
2000 Essendon 11240127017244271550.00.011.37.218.43.02.3
2001 Essendon 11211020315535872410.00.09.77.417.03.42.0
2002 Port Adelaide 11200118212130358500.00.19.16.115.22.92.5
2003 Port Adelaide 11200215411126557420.00.17.75.613.32.92.1
2004 Port Adelaide 111410808616634270.10.05.76.111.92.41.9
Career 207 14 13 2106 1263 3369 645 398 0.1 0.1 10.2 6.1 16.3 3.1 1.9

Coaching statistics
Statistics are correct to the end of 2023.[46]
Legend
 W  Wins  L  Losses  D  Draws  W%  Winning percentage  LP  Ladder position  LT  League teams
Season Team Games W L D W % LP LT
2010 Richmond 22616027.3%1516
2011 Richmond 22813138.6%1217
2012 Richmond 221011147.7%1218
2013 Richmond 23158065.2%518
2014 Richmond 231211052.2%818
2015 Richmond 23158065.2%518
2016 Richmond 22814036.4%1318
2017 Richmond 25187072.0%318
2018 Richmond 24195079.2%118
2019 Richmond 25196076.0%318
2020 Richmond 21155173.8%318
2021 Richmond 22912143.2%1218
2022 Richmond 23139158.7%718
2023 Richmond 1036135.0%1518
Career totals 307 170 131 6 56.4%

Honours and achievements

References
  1. SUNS Media (21 August 2023). "Damien Hardwick joins the Gold Coast SUNS". Gold Coast Suns. Australian Football League. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  2. "Staff Members". Richmond Football Club. Richmond Football Club. 2014. Archived from the original on 7 May 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  3. Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2003). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (5th ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Crown Content. p. 293–294. ISBN 1-74095-032-1.
  4. "DAMIEN HARDWICK". Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  5. "DAMIEN HARDWICK". Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  6. "DAMIEN HARDWICK". Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  7. "DAMIEN HARDWICK". Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  8. "DAMIEN HARDWICK". Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  9. "Tigers to name Hardwick as new coach". 25 August 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  10. "Tigers to name Hardwick as new coach". 25 August 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  11. Vaughan, Roger (26 August 2009). "Hardwick appointed Richmond coach in three-year deal". Perth Now. News Ltd. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  12. "Tigers to name Hardwick as new coach". 25 August 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  13. "Tigers' new man inherits a task burdened by mistakes of the past". 26 August 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  14. "Lions' coaching revamp roars on". 16 September 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  15. "Tigers re-sign Hardwick to new deal". ABC News. ABC. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  16. "Damien Hardwick gets two-year contract extension". The Age. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  17. Cleary, Mitch (15 January 2020). "Mate v mate: How the Vic v All Stars teams will be picked". Australian Football League. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  18. "Most Tackles In A Game (1987–2012)".
  19. Tigers maul Power Archived 1 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  20. 2010 results from AFL tables
  21. Finals-bound Richmond has plenty to prove says coach Damien Hardwick, The Herald Sun, 16 August 2013
  22. Carlton knocks Richmond out of finals with 20-point MCG win to qualify for AFL semi-final, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 8 September 2013
  23. McFarlane, Glenn (26 September 2017). "Damien Hardwick caps amazing Tiger turnaround by being named AFL Coach of the Year, following up with victory in the 2017 grand final against the Adelaide Crows". Herald Sun.
  24. Little, Craig (29 September 2019). "Marlion Pickett plays his way into AFL folklore with Richmond's leap of faith". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  25. "Richmond demolish GWS Giants in AFL grand final". The Guardian. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  26. "AFL Ladder". afl.com.au. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  27. "Making Their Mark, Amazon's AFL documentary, offers genuine insight into the faults and fears of modern professional athletes". ABC. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  28. "'You feel like this monster of a person': unguarded moments caught by Amazon's fly on the wall". The Age. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  29. "AFL documentary gets Richmond backing despite team's off-field scandals". The Guardian. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  30. "AFL Grand Final 2020 - Richmond Tigers vs Geelong Cats". 24 October 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  31. "'Arrogant': AFL's private relief over Richmond Tigers disaster". 16 August 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  32. "Damien Hardwick confirms he is stepping down as Richmond Tigers coach". 22 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  33. "'I'm done. I'm cooked': Inside Hardwick's exit". 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  34. "Damien Hardwick quits as Richmond AFL coach in shock mid-season call". 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  35. "Coaching bombshell: Damien Hardwick quits as Richmond coach in decision that shocks AFL". 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  36. "'It became a little bit much': Hardwick quits as Tigers coach". 22 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  37. "Damien Hardwick in tears, reveals 'fatal mistake' before quitting Richmond". 22 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  38. "Damien Hardwick in tears, reveals 'fatal mistake' before quitting Richmond". 22 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  39. "Damien Hardwick confirms resignation as Richmond coach in 14th season at Punt Road". 22 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  40. "Damien Hardwick joins Gold Coast Suns as head coach on six-year deal". 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  41. "Damien Hardwick laughs off 'Dusty' talk, says Suns are ready to launch". 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  42. "Gold Coast officially unveil Damien Hardwick as their new coach". 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  43. "Gold Coast officially unveil Damien Hardwick as their new coach". 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  44. "'Someone every club would love to have': King backs Suns' Dimma chase". 8 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  45. Damien Hardwick's player profile at AFL Tables
  46. "Damien Hardwick's coaching profile". AFL Tables.

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