Damien Hardwick | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
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Damien Hardwick

Dimma has given so much and I will always be grateful. He was a man who decided when his time was up so can leave us with pride in where we brought us to. A bit of as shock him resigning but we now have to move on and get behind McQualter and give him our support going forward.
Onwards and upwards!
 
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My son was born the year Dimma started coaching us . When I was 13 we had probably had 10 different coaches by then.
 
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I see no reason to speculate. I think Dimma was pretty open and honest in his presser. If you want answers, just watch that.
 
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He doesn't need to be coaching for that though. I'm sure they could present him on field prior to the start of the game for a good bye lap of honour of the G.
True

Maybe we should all stand 3 minutes into the 3rd quarter representing 3 flags and give him an ovation?
 
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Just got home from work. Had most of the day to process the news. Was really flat at work today, tried to hide it but was noticed by a few. Haven’t felt this way for a while. I knew this day would come sooner or later but was hoping for later.
Firstly. Thank you Dimma. Thank you for what you have done for our club over the past 14 years. You came to the club when we were a laughing stock and what many considered a basket case. You helped drive the change of culture and turned us into a powerhouse club. You made us feared and respected again. I remember when you took over and in your first season. The media said we were worse than Fitzroy were in their dying days, and some betting agencies were paying out on us winning the spoon by round 10. You got us into finals for the first time in 12 years, the first time we played in 3 consecutive finals series in 40 years, and of course, our first flag in nearly 4 decades. That day in 2017 was one of the most memorable and happiest days in my life, as I’m sure it was for hundreds of thousands of fellow supporters. If that was the only flag I would get to see I would have died a happy man. But it wasn’t and got to see 2 more ( 1 in person, 1 on the couch). You led us to our most successful era in nearly 50 years. I thank you for letting me experience that.
I‘m glad you get to go out on your terms. While I would have loved you to coach one more game , just so we can farewell and thank you, you owe us nothing and we owe you everything for the joy and happiness over the past 6 years in particular. I know you were only a part of a much larger team in bringing that success to fruition, you were a huge part of it.
Success seems to happen wherever you turn up. First at Essendon for a flag, then to Port for another as a player. Some might say you were in the right place at the right time for those ( you hold the record for most consecutive Minor premierships, Essendon 1999-2001, Port 2002-2004). But then you went to Hawthorn as an assistant coach and another flag followed in 2008. Nobody could honestly say you got lucky when you came to us. You turned the culture around and it led to the Holy Grail 3 more times, plus another minor premiership in 2018. 8 finals series in 13 completed seasons is outstanding. Our longest serving coach. Coaching some of the greatest players in our clubs history. Again, thank you for everything you’ve done since you arrived at our club.
I know you will probably end up coaching elsewhere sometime in the future and I hope you continue your success ( except when against us). I have only one request. Please don’t go to Carlton or Geelong. Any goodwill will be instantly evaporated if you do :)
All the best Dimma
:cupgold:cupgold:cupgold
 
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You’re a lucky man, then. The years between 1980 - 2017 have been indelibly inked onto people’s memories. There weren’t many bright spots, although 1995 was fun and we did get to see Richo at his peak.

I knew of the history when I started following the Tiges but it was the 2017 prelim that really made it sink in for me.

About 10 mins from the end of the game when it was pretty clear we had beaten the Giants and were heading to the big dance and a few rows in front of me and my daughters was a guy and his dad. Must have been 30-35 or so, tough looking bloke, big beard and he was literally sobbing into his dads shoulder. It really made it clear to me how much that day and the following GF meant to so many people. It was why the 2GF's in Melbourne I was fine not getting a ticket to the GF, my view was that I was late coming into this, I hadn't been through the tough times that I know many of you guys had, and I was comfortable that those that did see those tough times got the tickets. I had a great time watching both of them at Punt Road with 20k other Tigers.
 
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A story about Dimma

A lady who works with me is a big tiger fan. She and her husband go for walks a lot in their area and used to see Dimma around a bit but never spoke to him.
A few days after the 2017 grand final they were walking and decked themselves out in Tiger gear. A car went past and stopped and out stepped Dimma. He said “ have a look at this” and took out the cup from the car and proceeded to pose for photos with them.
He didn’t need to do that
 
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Reflecting today, Dimma has coached Richmond for a quarter of my life. The other 3/4's of my life, Richmond were a basket case.

Sad that this chapter has finished, but forever grateful to the great man. I hope I one day get to meet him and thank him.
 
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Every loss is a mini mourning,but the utter respect and love we all feel for Dimma is almost un measurable, his departure brings us back to what he gave us, the holly grail moments that to myself after my first year as a member in 1980 ,I thought I would never ever see again,especially after 3 decades of not making finals for most those years.
For ever grateful to dimma,my memories of winning flags next to my 2 boys is priceless.
What a great guy and coach.
 
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That would have to be the most dignified and professional exit of a RFC coach.

First class by all involved.

Our club has come a long way.
 
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What a coach , what a man!
He’ll go down in Tiger History with the other great coaches we have had.
Tom Hafey
Tony Jewell
Terry Wallace.
 
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I knew of the history when I started following the Tiges but it was the 2017 prelim that really made it sink in for me.

About 10 mins from the end of the game when it was pretty clear we had beaten the Giants and were heading to the big dance and a few rows in front of me and my daughters was a guy and his dad. Must have been 30-35 or so, tough looking bloke, big beard and he was literally sobbing into his dads shoulder. It really made it clear to me how much that day and the following GF meant to so many people. It was why the 2GF's in Melbourne I was fine not getting a ticket to the GF, my view was that I was late coming into this, I hadn't been through the tough times that I know many of you guys had, and I was comfortable that those that did see those tough times got the tickets. I had a great time watching both of them at Punt Road with 20k other Tigers.
That was literally me. Difference was I there with my then 12 year old son. I remember walking out of the G dazed and in disbelief. A 40 year old whose football dreams had finally come true.

My son on the other hand had seen 3 premierships by the age of 15. Lucky bastard. :)
 
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Just a reminder brothers and sisters that Jack is going to be on 360 tonight.
 
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When he coaches again I wish him the best in every game except when he plays us.
Depends who he coaches.
I could handle the Suns finally having success with Hardwick in charge. Port maybe. The Blues or Dons not so much.
 
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