Damien Hardwick anticipated to announce resignation as Richmond coach in 14th season at Punt Highway

Triple-premiership coach Damien Hardwick is about to element the explanations behind his reported choice to give up Richmond in a bombshell transfer that has sparked the prospect of change at rival AFL golf equipment. 

Hardwick is anticipated to entrance a press convention on Tuesday morning, when he’ll deal with probably the most sensational mid-season teaching departure in latest reminiscence.

It’s believed burnout from the stress of senior teaching has been an element within the 50-year-old’s shock name after 307 video games in cost over 14 seasons.

Hardwick is the longest-serving coach in Richmond’s historical past and can go down as one of many membership’s all-time greats alongside Tom Hafey, having led the Tigers to premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

There shall be hypothesis about Hardwick’s future and whether or not — or when — he might coach once more at one other membership subsequent yr or past.

Richmond will even transfer rapidly to evaluate the teaching market, with assistant coach Andrew McQualter prone to take the reins on an interim foundation.

Port Adelaide’s Ken Hinkley is out of contract on the finish of this season, West Coast’s Adam Simpson is beneath mounting stress after a horror run and Stuart Dew can hardly afford one other yr with out September motion at Gold Coast.

There may be additionally a cloud hanging over North Melbourne, with Alastair Clarkson on indefinite go away from the membership.

Hinkley, who rejected overtures from Essendon final yr, was runner-up to Hardwick for the Richmond job in late 2009 earlier than successful the Energy function forward of the 2013 season.

Hinkley and Port Adelaide have repeatedly acknowledged they’ve postpone contract talks till at the very least August, although that might now change.