Damien Hardwick has gone rogue after managing to convince a Denver bar to switch their TV to Richmond’s clash with GWS.
The triple premiership coach left for the United States this week to begin his much-needed break away from the AFL, having called an immediate end to his time in charge of the Tigers last month. But he hasn’t lost any passion for his former team.
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Hardwick watched Richmond’s first game since his departure from the couch – complete with a Tigers jacket on, and a beer in hand.
One week later he’s still enjoying the footy with a drink but in very different circumstances.
“Go the Tigs from Denver,” Hardwick wrote just after the first bounce.
Richmond kicked seven of the first nine goals of the game, and that run seemed to work in his favour at one of the more unlikely AFL viewing places.
“Forty new members, chief,” Hardwick wrote during the first half in a less-than-subtle message to his former boss Brendon Gale.
The attached photo showed several people holding up identical drinks.
“I reckon you’d need to buy a round for the whole bar in order to get the TV on to the AFL,” one fan wrote.
Hardwick replied: “Yep I think 69 lemon drops are a tax expense #ATOconfirmation.”
The Tigers briefly lost the lead to GWS during a thrilling last quarter before fighting back to snatch victory, with interim coach Andrew McQualter celebrated by his players during the club song.
The former coach was perhaps fortunate that the footy fell in a gap between Denver sporting matches.
The city’s MLB team played on Saturday afternoon local time, wrapping up victory four hours before the Tigers game began.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, will continue their hunt for a first NBA championship when they host Miami on Sunday evening in Denver (Monday 10am AEST).
Hardwick had earlier joked with another person who asked why he didn’t follow Dustin Martin’s suggestion of holidaying in Ibiza.
“Listen I love the 4 (Martin) but not that much,” he wrote.
Hardwick left the Tigers after initially expecting to see out the season, despite being contracted for 2024.
He made the “fatal” mistake of watching The Last Dance documentary about Michael Jordan – where the Chicago Bulls legend won a title, allowing him to retire on a high.
Richmond’s struggles earlier this season prompted Hardwick to reconsider his plan.
“If I couldn’t give this club the very best Damien Hardwick I wasn’t prepared to see it out,” he said.
“The job of AFL coach is very, very tough. Don’t get me wrong I love it to death. But I just need a break.”
Hardwick considered leaving after the win over Geelong two weeks ago but wanted to be involved in the Dreamtime at the ‘G clash on Saturday.
The desire to leave on his own terms, even if not on the high of a premiership or a win, also played a role.
“I’ve seen first hand what it can do when relationships sour with regard to coaching careers ending and I just didn’t want that to be the case,” Hardwick said.