Has Damian Hardwick's affair killed the successful Tiger culture?

[Farang83150]

Anyone who thinks his affair didn't impact the Tigers is in idiot.

Hawkins punched Rohan after his affair was revealed, so this idea that "boys will be boys" who don't care about others stepping out on their wives is old-fashioned nonsense. The culture is changing now. No matter what you think about the Tigers, but it is clear that many of their players are family orientated, either with wives, serious girlfriends, or close relationships with mums or sisters who may have been cheated on before. The modern player isn't fine with that old-fashioned culture--look at what happened to Buckley at the Pies. He couldn't modernise with the times and the players turned on his old-fashioned personality. It's not as bad at Richmond but it is similar.

At the end of the day, a family orientated footy player is not going to be fine with the coach sleeping with a staffer. Even if Dimma hadn't made "Mrs. Hardwick" a key part of the Richmond brand, players were always going to have an issue with the affair and the fact Dimma lied about when the affair started.

The Tigers tried to sell the idea that the affair started in the hubs. In truth, it started at least a year before the pandemic. If Dimma had taken the hit on the chin, maybe it would be a different story, but at the end of the day he refused to take responsibility for his choices by incorrectly making it look like his marriage ended because of Covid.

To make matters worse, Cotchin, who is close to Mrs. Hardwick and whose family publicly supported her, was removed as captain. I have no doubt this is because of the Cotchin family backing Mrs. Hardwick. Look, I don't care if you think Cotchin is a flog, he is a three-time premiership winning captain who was replaced by two dudes without any leadership qualities. It was a dumb decision that never would have happened without Dimma's affair.

The fact the Tigers have now shipped Dimma's sidechick off to a different company means that they at least suspect that the affair hurt their club too.

No one is saying that Dimma is a bad person. Ending a marriage is a normal part of life. It is the way he ended the marriage that has clearly annoyed people at the Tigers.

Reinstate Cotchin as captain and I reckon you see the Tigers get better instantly.

I think you touched a nerve!

 

[Pomsta]

In response to the OP the answer is yes. Mrs Hardwick was the goal kicking coach. Since she's been gone I think you can see the difference.

 

[Nebular]

Yes we would easily be on track for a 5peat if it weren't for Dimma.

No other factors whatsoever.

Nice troll thread lol.

 

[Ando727]

Are there any single coaches?

Clubs should be setting them up with Mrs Hardwick ASAP.

Would be even funnier if the new coach still referred to her as Mrs Hardwick.

 

[janty]

 

[Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods]

congrats on the win, you have some great stars and played to win.
The writing was on the wall and I just knew we were dropping this game.
Doesn't help us with Dusty not clearing the air either. that is another little stone in Richmond's shoe.

I had the same feeling, even before North sacked their coach. Managed to get on North at $10. They came into $7 after the coach was sacked.

 

[GastevsBeard]

I think it is a factor, albeit very hard to quantify impact. Below is why I think so ...

The hill this club was prepared to die on above all else as the progenitor of its new-found success was "connectedness", & being a "richmond man"

It was all about putting others before yourselves - Conrad Marshall's book cites examples like piggy-backing an injured player across the road to get a coffee, or Cotch going out of his way to make an injured Jack Graham

34

Jack Graham

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14.7

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6.8

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2.1

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6.3

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0.4

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11.8

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5.3

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6.5

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2.8

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4.2

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0.0

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14.0

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6.0

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8.0

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1.8

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7.0

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1.0

4star

a part of the 2019 GF match-day build up. A culture of selflessness and sacrifice

So when your coach in slightly duplicitous circumstances leaves his wife for another woman... one who happens to work at the club, those inspiring words from the coach around connectedness and selflessness would surely ring a bit hollow. That's not even factoring in the Cotchin's seemed to privately side with Danielle, going by Brooke Cotchin's typically cryptic social media posts. Does this sound like a fully connected club?

The reason I can't dismiss the affair as contributing to the teams decline is the way we are losing. If it was solely attributable to the natural decline of an ageing list, we would be getting soundly beaten each week. The reality is we have been in a winning position in every game, only to mentally choke at the death. & this has now been the case for two seasons. That speaks to something more insidious than just an ageing list, or lack of hunger

There may be other things contributing that are not public - but something is amiss

 

[3rd Grade Maggy]

I think it's all Castagna has been thinking about all season. Results speak for themselves.

 

[juss]

OP is correct, if Mrs Hardwick was still around we'd be sitting on the 2021 flag and be undefeated in 2022.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

My son was watching the 2020 GF behind the scenes in the Richmond box. I was actually quite underwhelmed by Hardwick and how he spoke to the playing group. Dropped the F bomb quite a few times and didn't come across as super confident at all. TBH I have had 3 AFL coaches in the ammos who spoke with more confidence, knowledge and authority than what I watched in that game. Russel Jeffries after he spoke you would charge the machine guns going over the top without blinking.

I think you are totally utterly wrong their - and you obviously didnt see/watch his address to his players at half/time

So at h/time they are about 2 goals behind very wet conditions - and he told his players a few tactical /positional things - then he said -look - Geel are a good side - a very good side - but we ( and he really emphasised this ) are a great side - if that isnt confidence - and instilling confidence into your players to overrun the opposition - then im a poor judge

This year - with Melb - looking like their hunger has dropped off a bit - and their forward line out of sorts - its given other teams a bit of a chance - and it is not a strong year

Tigers arent done - but they will be kicking themselves - because theve let so many games slip - should of beaten NM quite easily because they had a hell of alot more scoring shots - 30 pts in front of Syd and lost -

They could be sitting in the top 4 if they had won the tight games - and it is a weak year

 

[Farang83150]

Maybe hardwick should whinge to the umps some more..low and behold!!

 

[Slats]

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has been accused of verbally abusing players amid a VFL match on the weekend.

The Herald Sun reports an animated Hardwick was accused of calling Williamstown players “weak f***ing pricks” and challenged them during Richmond’s VFL game with the side at Punt Road Oval on Saturday.

Senior Williamstown officials are reportedly seeking a “please explain” from Richmond regarding Hardwick’s conduct.

Richmond released the following statement in the aftermath: “The club acknowledges there was an exchange of words following an incident in the first quarter which led to a Williamstown player being reported for rough conduct. As far as the club is concerned, that is the end of the matter.”

A Williamstown official told the Herald Sun several fans had reported Hardwick’s outburst to officials at quarter-time.

“He verbally abused one of the Williamstown players because of a hit early in the first quarter … there was some sort of verbal altercation with ‘Dimma’ verbally abusing the player,” the official said.

Another eyewitness said that Hardwick “went off his head in front of about 70 people”.

“He branded two players ‘weak f---ing pricks’ and said to them ‘come over here and I’ll show you how tough you are’.”

The Tigers have denied Hardwick made the latter remark.

‘Weak f***ing p****s’: Richmond coach ‘went off his head’ in wild VFL exchange

‘Weak f***ing p****s’: Richmond coach ‘went off his head’ in wild VFL exchange

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[gouki88]

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has been accused of verbally abusing players amid a VFL match on the weekend.

The Herald Sun reports an animated Hardwick was accused of calling Williamstown players “weak f***ing pricks” and challenged them during Richmond’s VFL game with the side at Punt Road Oval on Saturday.

Senior Williamstown officials are reportedly seeking a “please explain” from Richmond regarding Hardwick’s conduct.

Richmond released the following statement in the aftermath: “The club acknowledges there was an exchange of words following an incident in the first quarter which led to a Williamstown player being reported for rough conduct. As far as the club is concerned, that is the end of the matter.”

A Williamstown official told the Herald Sun several fans had reported Hardwick’s outburst to officials at quarter-time.

“He verbally abused one of the Williamstown players because of a hit early in the first quarter … there was some sort of verbal altercation with ‘Dimma’ verbally abusing the player,” the official said.

Another eyewitness said that Hardwick “went off his head in front of about 70 people”.

“He branded two players ‘weak f---ing pricks’ and said to them ‘come over here and I’ll show you how tough you are’.”

The Tigers have denied Hardwick made the latter remark.

‘Weak f***ing p****s’: Richmond coach ‘went off his head’ in wild VFL exchange

‘Weak f***ing p****s’: Richmond coach ‘went off his head’ in wild VFL exchange

www.foxsports.com.au

At 50 years old it might be time to give this kind of behaviour a rest, one might think.

 

[Jakksynn]

What was the on field incident? Was it a genuine footy contest or did someone get sniped off the ball? If the latter you can almost respect Dimma for standing up for his players but if it’s just a high bump or something then he’s obviously massively overstepped.

 

[tiger_tough]

What was the on field incident? Was it a genuine footy contest or did someone get sniped off the ball? If the latter you can almost respect Dimma for standing up for his players but if it’s just a high bump or something then he’s obviously massively overstepped.

I believe Mansell got hit from behind off the play and the bloke got reported.

Good on Dimma. This is nothing new from him, he's always been hugely defensive of his players.

 

[Jakksynn]

I believe Mansell got hit from behind off the play and the bloke got reported.

Good on Dimma. This is nothing new from him, he's always been hugely defensive of his players.

It’s not a good look for a head coach that’s for sure, but I’m sure the players respect the * out of him for it.

 

[Elmer_Judd]

Once his current contract expires, that will be it for Hardwick at Richmond I would think

 

[Enviable Tradition]

It’s not a good look for a head coach that’s for sure, but I’m sure the players respect the * out of him for it.

I disagree. It's exactly how I'd want my coach to respond to an off the ball snipe.

Richmond's response is perfect.

Effectively "yep he did it, so what"?

 

[gouki88]

I believe Mansell got hit from behind off the play and the bloke got reported.

Good on Dimma. This is nothing new from him, he's always been hugely defensive of his players.

If it was Mansell then I have no doubt it was somewhat warranted. Utter flog

 

[tiger_tough]

If it was Mansell then I have no doubt it was somewhat warranted. Utter flog

 

[dazbroncos]

Well i dont think his side chick shag fest made them better.

Go Catters

 

[yodellinhank]

I disagree. It's exactly how I'd want my coach to respond to an off the ball snipe.

Richmond's response is perfect.

Effectively "yep he did it, so what"?

Stopped just short of reiterating that the Williamstown players were weak pricks.

 

[Slartibartfast]

The AFL are now investigating, I see the player was reatiliating after being fenced by Mansell. Wonder if Dimma took offence to that to??

AFL investigating alleged incident involving Tigers coach Hardwick

The AFL is seeking "further information" after Richmond coach Damien Hardwick allegedly swore at opposition players during a heated VFL match involving the Tigers.

www.abc.net.au

 

[sante]

The way Lambert spoke about Dimma in his retirement speech says more than any of the crap posted in here

 

[gouki88]

The AFL are now investigating, I see the player was reatiliating after being fenced by Mansell. Wonder if Dimma took offence to that to??

AFL investigating alleged incident involving Tigers coach Hardwick

The AFL is seeking "further information" after Richmond coach Damien Hardwick allegedly swore at opposition players during a heated VFL match involving the Tigers.

www.abc.net.au

Unsurprising. Mansell is a POS with form.