It’s a historic moment for Richmond as senior coach Damien Hardwick gears up to mark his 300th AFL game as coach against Collingwood on Friday night.
The former 207-game and dual premiership player was appointed to Richmond’s top role in August 2009, just after his 37th birthday, and made his senior coaching debut in Round 1 of the 2010 AFL season against Carlton.
Hardwick has gone on to become Richmond’s longest-serving coach and has led the team to three flags, putting him just behind the legendary Tom Hafey, who has four, among Richmond’s most successful coaches.
Richmond CEO Brendon Gale hailed Hardwick as a “selfless coach” and praised his incredible longevity in the game. “With incredible and unrelenting scrutiny and pressure, this is a very tough game. So, for ‘Dimma’ to be at the top of his game for 300 games at this Club and to break all sorts of records is incredible,” he said.
The Tigers have much to be thankful for as they celebrate Hardwick’s outstanding career and the tremendous contributions he has made to the team. Congratulations, ‘Dimma’!
