Question about Hardwick

[1980GFVideo]

Can you guys fill me on why Hardwick left Essendon

Did he fall out with Sheeds (Sheedy targeted him for comments before a Power game) or did he lose form at a critical time or was it the salary cap squeeze that you guys had around that time.

Just wondering if you could let me know as he was a favourite of the Essendon supporters I knew. Got a letter from a doctor advising him to change his style of play for his own future health apparently.

[zaharakamania]

salary cap i believe

dont recall any fallout with sheeds, was one of his favs immsmc

[OzBomber]

I believe it was because of the Salary cap. That's why Heffernan, Moorcroft and Caracella also left.

[1980GFVideo]

I thought his style would have been so appealing to Sheeds that he would have been further down the queue when it came to being squeezed out. Maybe timing of the contract came down to it.

Just never added up as to why Essendon would let him go. Which departure around that time upset you guys the most.

I would have imagined Caracella would have been the least and Hardwick the most.

[tristo]

Also would of come down to what other clubs were interested in.

Port were after hard at it type players at the time so they were interested.

Cannot remember what the trade was for.

[donsman4eva]

I thought his style would have been so appealing to Sheeds that he would have been further down the queue when it came to being squeezed out. Maybe timing of the contract came down to it.

Just never added up as to why Essendon would let him go. Which departure around that time upset you guys the most.

I would have imagined Caracella would have been the least and Hardwick the most.
Still to this day I believe our most important departure around that time was Sean Wellman. He was unbelievable in defense. He provided run from half back and was a strong body if we needed him. I still dont think we have come across anybody who can fill his role.

[topdon]

Essendon were spewing that we had to let him go. So much so, that they bent the rules so he could become a Life Member. He loves this club.

[yodellinhank]

Also would of come down to what other clubs were interested in.

Port were after hard at it type players at the time so they were interested.

Cannot remember what the trade was for.

Draft Picks #31 (Joel Reynolds) & #47 (Andrew Welsh)

Aside from his fantastic career at Essendon, Hardwick's effort in Port's 2004 premiership will always stick in my mind. He absolutely gave it everything in the first half and was probably best on ground.

[cooper6]

Which departure around that time upset you guys the most.

I would have imagined Caracella would have been the least and Hardwick the most.

I was most disappointed with caracella, was my favourite player, so mercurial. he never got back to his best elsewhere either, despite winning another flag at bris. very disappointed to lose all 4 though.

[AndyLesPaul]

Thats bad as,

seems as if Hardwick the only person that sustained their form after leaving hte bombers too.

Moorcroft > Melbourne > Delisted
Caracella > Brisbane > Collingwood > Career ending Neck injury
Heffernan > Melbourne > Essendon > retired/delisted?

[daffo]

Blumfield - Richmond - Delisted

[The Donners]

Also would of come down to what other clubs were interested in.

Port were after hard at it type players at the time so they were interested.

Cannot remember what the trade was for.

Effectively, Andrew Welsh, I believe.

[The Donners]

Can you guys fill me on why Hardwick left Essendon

Did he fall out with Sheeds (Sheedy targeted him for comments before a Power game) or did he lose form at a critical time or was it the salary cap squeeze that you guys had around that time.

Just wondering if you could let me know as he was a favourite of the Essendon supporters I knew. Got a letter from a doctor advising him to change his style of play for his own future health apparently.

I was my favourite player and I was absolutely seething (and still am!) that Hardwick was one of those players that we had to get rid of.

[1980GFVideo]

Some big contracts at the time in the place.

Hirds was warranted but Mercuri wasnt quite the star he was in the last two years of his big contract.

My interest in Hardwick as a Richmond supporter at this time isnt probably totaly a mystery although that you guys didnt snap him up is beyond me.

I cant believe it came down to his answer about how to treat the indigenous players.

But Good on Knightsy if he impressed in the interview over a favourite son.

Good to see him doing well.

[The Donners]

Some big contracts at the time in the place.

Hirds was warranted but Mercuri wasnt quite the star he was in the last two years of his big contract.

My interest in Hardwick as a Richmond supporter at this time isnt probably totaly a mystery although that you guys didnt snap him up is beyond me.

I cant believe it came down to his answer about how to treat the indigenous players.

But Good on Knightsy if he impressed in the interview over a favourite son.

Good to see him doing well.

Former Carlton premiership player Andrew McKay gave recommendations as to the potential coaches. McKay was put in charge of shortlisting the candidates.

There were far more credentialled candidates for the Hawthorn position but the nod was given to Clarkson. Perhaps Hardwick simply wants to copy the ideas of other coaches without actually putting forth his own set of ideals or game plans... I don't know, I'm purely guessing.

I dare say Essendon wouldn't have given the coaching role to Knights over Ayres, Daniher, McKenna, Sumich, Hardwick et al had he not provided short-term and long-term plans for the direction of the Essendon Football Club.

I think Knights is doing a very good job, 2nd year in.

[DapperDon]

I was my favourite player.

Yeah you went ok, but I loved Hardwick more:p

[The Donners]

Yeah you went ok, but I loved Hardwick more:p

Whoops! :o

P.S. What do you mean you loved Hardwick more??? Hahahaha