The Gold Coast Suns are determined to “not get sucked into the Damien Hardwick circus” following the Richmond coach’s shock mid-season departure, according to Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph.
But should triple premiership coach Hardwick ultimately indicate a desire to lead the Queensland-based club, the Suns would face the prospect of a brutal call.
Hardwick’s sudden decision to resign from his position as Tigers coach after 13-and-a-half season is set to have a ripple effect on the AFL coaching landscape.
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Several pundits on Monday night suggested the Tigers’ first call in their search for a new coach should be to Ken Hinkley, whose arguably in career-best coaching form with a contract that expires at the end of this season.
There’s also been speculation around whether Hardwick would entertain coaching the Power, who he won a premiership with as a player in 2004.
Hardwick stressed on Tuesday that his No. 1 priority now was “to decompress and let it all go”, adding: “It’s been an incredible journey for 13 or 14 years, but it is very, very consuming. And the job of AFL coaches is very, very tough. Don’t get me wrong, I love it to death. But the fact of the matter is, I just need a break.”
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Hardwick’s departure also comes with Suns coach Stuart Dew, who’s contracted until the end of 2024, far from secure in his role, considering the club sits 13th on the ladder with a 4-6 record as it still searches for its maiden finals appearance.
Suns chief executive Mark Evans spoke to multiple media outlets on Tuesday, declaring multiple times “Stuey is our coach”.
“We are getting behind that and we are going to get those wins over the next month or two months and set up a really promising finish to the season,” Evans said.
But speaking on Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight, Ralph suggested the Suns might be a natural fit for Hardwick considering the club is based out of the Melbourne footy bubble, while the AFL could also supply an ambassadorial bonus boost.
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“Port Adelaide and Gold Coast absolutely knew this day was coming,” Ralph told AFL Tonight. “They knew that a coach would be removed and that of course would start the merry-go-round and it would’ve put some pressure on them.
“They never knew it would be an absolute heavyweight like Damien Hardwick.
“Suns chief executive Mark Evans today backed in Stuart Dew. He said: ‘We’re very keen for him to be our coach for the long-term future.’
“But to be honest his contract for 2024, it has out clauses in it, it is effectively irrelevant if it is the Suns decide that he’s not their man. He has a modest payout figure, it would not be a factor if the Suns determined they wanted to move him on.
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“But what the Suns are absolutely determined to do is to not get sucked into this Hardwick circus. They want to be able to make sure they can concentrate on the season, give Stuart Dew the clean air to actually coach this club successfully. If he gets them through to finals and wins multiple finals, maybe he stays on.
“Lets face it though, there are very few scenarios where, if Damien Hardwick wants to coach Gold Coast and he is available and willing, the Suns would replace Stuart Dew.”
Hardwick and Dew are Port Adelaide premiership teammates and close friends who’ve requested to appear with each other on ‘Coaches’ Night’ on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 in recent years.
“Stuart Dew is Damien Hardwick’s running mate,” AFL 360 co-host Gerard Whateley said on Tuesday night.
“Our coaches largely choose their partners who they’re going to come on the show with. In all of those clips, Damien Hardwick is alongside Stuart Dew by choice… you’d think they would have to be so far separate and removed.”
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Hardwick departs as the Tigers’ longest-serving coach, while his three Richmond flags sits second behind the late Tom Hafey’s achievements of four premierships.
Tigers star and triple Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt said he would like to see Hardwick coach again “at some point”.
“I say that from loving footy; it would be a loss to the game if he didn’t coach again,” Riewoldt told AFL 360.
“Whether that’s next year, the year after or when it is, I would be really disappointed if one of the great coaches of modern footy is not coaching.
“I still think he’s got plenty in the tank. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him again.”