Inside the shock departure of two of the AFL’s top coaches and great mates within days of one another – and why it’s not a co-incidence
The cracks in Richmond coach Damien Hardwick’s armour were put on full display in February before a football had even been bounced.
In an unusual decision before Round 1, the three-time premiership winning coach indicated his passion for the job had taken a massive hit.
Hardwick conceded he wasn’t at his best throughout 2021 as he dealt with a marriage breakdown and the Tigers’ dramatic form slump.
HIs much publicised split from his wife and new partnership with club staffer Alexandra Crow had also taken a toll.
‘It was a challenge at times but you just try to ride the punches as best you can,’ he told the Herald Sun’s Scott Gullan.
‘The nature of our industry is sensationalism, you know that and unfortunately it is part and parcel of what comes with it.’
With the Tigers languishing in 13th place on the AFL ladder and the decision to stand down next season already in place, Hardwick on Tuesday told stunned fans it was time to stand down for the good of the club.
He had told Gullan in February that last year had been a grind, but presented some hope to the Tigers faithful that he had enough in the tank to go again.
‘If I am being completely honest I didn‘t have the greatest of years from a coaching perspective,’ he said then.
‘We didn’t get some things right along the way and you have got to be upfront and honest with that.
‘Probably last year there were a couple of times where I wasn‘t at my best but I didn’t recognise that quick enough.
‘I‘m not going to tell you a mistrust when I say last year I was tired … we needed the off-season. I needed the break and I feel reinvigorated.’
While Hardwick’s decision to step down mid-season has come as a kick-in-the-guts to the Tigers faithful, they have hit footy forums in droves to declare their love for him.
Hardwick’s decision comes suspiciously hot on the heels of North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson’s mid-season departure last week.
Like Hardwick, Clarkson had been at the centre of both a media storm and shocking form on the field, with the Kangaroos languishing at second last on the ladder.
Clarkson, a four-time premiership winning coach at Hawthorn, his then assistant and now Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, and ex-Hawk player welfare manager Jason Burt have been named in allegations of racism during their time at the club.
Hardwick is known to be great mates with Clarkson.
Kangaroos football boss Todd Viney told reporters last week Clarkson had succumbed to pressure over the racism scandal.
‘Internally, he’s been so strong. The mask that he’d been putting on was so clever. He was hiding it from us internally,’ he said.
‘I did know things were weighing on him. But I didn’t see anything that was inhibiting his coaching. I did always think, when all this was said and done and finished, he’d be a better coach. It’s been a hell of a weight.’
The departure of the two coaches has stirred renewed debate over the pressures of AFL football and the supports in place for those at the top of their game.
‘It’s a tough job, I’m not going to lie to you,’ Collingwood coach Craig McRae said upon hearing of Hardwick’s decision.
‘It’s relentless, you get tired and you’ve got to find energy sources. You get home and you’re exhausted.’
Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge said coaching popular AFL sides would be fatiguing.
‘I don’t think there’s a more stressful job in professional sport,’ Hodge told The Age.
Former Richmond player and premiership coach Tony Jewell suggested coaching an AFL team was one of the toughest jobs going around.
‘It’s one of the worst professions known to man, being a coach,’ he told Melbourne’s 3AW.
‘(Hardwick’s) been through a lot with these players, and a few of them … their careers are starting to come to an end, and you’ve got to make hard decisions on them.’
AFL 360 host Mark Robinson questioned on Monday whether Clarkson’s decision to quit influenced Hardwick.
‘Maybe it was the realisation that it’s over? As simple as that. We were in the fight and guess what … Richmond are in 14th spot with three after 10 games. They are not playing finals.’ he said.
‘Damien Hardwick could have said, “you know what? It’s over”. To rebuild without him making decisions on his favourite players who have taken him to premierships, they’ve cried for him, bloodied for him.’
On Tuesday, Hardwick referenced the punishing effect of coaching in the AFL as he explained his reasons for leaving.
‘It’s a tough gig being an AFL senior coach but the support I have received from the majority of people has been absolutely outstanding and will forever go down as one of the great things I’ve ever been in,’ he said.
While Clarkson’s decision to step down from the Kangaroos will provide him some relief from the media spotlight, his pain is far from over.
In a statement issued just four days ago, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan welcomed Clarkson’s decision to ‘prioritise his own health and wellbeing’.
‘We understand how much the investigation by the independent panel into allegations of racism has impacted on all people involved, including Alastair, and believe the investigation needs to find resolution,’ McLachlan stated.
‘It is a heavy burden being carried by all parties involved and the wellbeing of everyone who is a part of this process is the key priority for our game.
‘It takes great courage to stand up and say you need to focus on your own personal wellbeing and we support Alastair in doing what he needs to do in the best interests of himself and his family. We will continue to provide support to all parties.’
With the departure of another champion coach under the strain of the job, fans are wondering if the AFL is doing enough.
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