How a 7pm text to Richmond staff shook up the footballing world: Damien Hardwick’s bombshell dropped just as the Tigers star was on TV to talk about the team’s chances of making the final
- Damien Hardwick set to step down as Richmond head coach
- Three-time PM winner reportedly ‘exhausted’
- Should notify Tigers players and staff on Tuesday
- Took over at Punt Rd in 2010, famous for his “kamikaze” style
A 7pm text message on Monday night rocked Richmond staff as they learned that three-time manager Damien Hardwick was leaving the club in one of the biggest shocks the footballing world has had in years.
The development unfolded on Monday night as Tigers defender Nathan Broad said ‘our window is definitely open’ on Fox Footy’s On The Couch program and said he was confident his team would play the final this year .
Despite Broad’s fighting words, finishing in the top eight already seems unlikely, with Richmond sitting 14th on the AFL ladder after just three wins from 10 matches.
A 7pm text message on Monday night sent a bombshell to Richmond staff on learning that three-time premiership-winning coach Damien Hardwick would quit
The development took place on Monday night – at the same time Tigers defender Nathan Broad (pictured) told Fox Footy ‘our window is definitely open’
Hardwick is the longest-serving manager in Richmond’s history having taken over in 2010.
He was in charge of his 307th game on Saturday, a one-point loss to Essendon in the annual Dreamtime Game.
Hardwick also became famous for guiding the former ‘basket’ club to the flags in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae gave insight into the pressures of the job just after hearing the news.
‘I’m not going to lie to you. It’s relentless,’ he said on Fox Footy.
‘You are tired. You need to find power sources. You are constantly trying to find the right balance to find the right energy to join your playgroup.
“You find the energy for your players and then you come home and you’re exhausted and your wife and family also want you to find the energy.”
“It’s hard work, you have to find the balance. And he’s been doing it for a long time.
Tigers assistant coach Andrew McQualter is expected to be named interim coach of Richmond for the remainder of the season.
