Hardwick is the luckiest coach in football, and I suspect he knows it more than the supporters. A great administration from the president down that stuck by him when the on-field results did not. Given space and resources to reboot himself and completely reinvent his approach to coaching. And most importantly, he watched and coached the growth and evolution of a healthy number of champions in the squad, with a 2nd tier of players that were exceptional.
Enter 3 premierships, and the never-ending accolades of a grateful supporter base and it takes a remarkable person not to get sucked in to the hype. Hardwick is not remarkable. He left almost mid-season putting the side first? You can believe it if you like but he’s been around the AFL long enough to pick up some handy survival skills.
Of course, he’s going to coach again. He likes it and the money he will receive will be substantial. But I’m focused on the side today and some pieces are falling into place nicely. Pieces that Hardwick refused to consider. His time is finished at Richmond.