The Gold Coast coach stands out as an exception to the rule that coaches generally stay too long.
Hardwick demonstrated astute foresight by recognising the signs of an impending decline at his former club, Richmond. After leading the Tigers to three premierships, Hardwick made the bold decision to quit on the Tigers after just 10 games last season, despite having 18 months remaining on his contract. This strategic move undoubtedly extended his coaching career and elevated him to one of the highest-paid coaches in the league.
Damien Hardwick departs his press conference at Punt Road after announcing he was stepping down as coach of Richmond Football Club.Credit: Jason South
In American sports, such as the NBA or NFL, and in European soccer, head coaches often transition swiftly between roles, quitting or being fired from one franchise to resurface as the head coach at another.
By contrast, the AFL’s landscape with more entrenched coaches underscores the need for more open minds on changing clubs.
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The NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks made a significant coaching change midway through this season, hiring Doc Rivers as head coach after sacking Adam Griffith.
Rivers, who was let go by the Philadelphia 76ers last year, faced criticism after the team squandered a 3-2 series lead and fell to the Boston Celtics in the eastern conference semi-finals. The Bucks are the fourth team Rivers has coached.
In the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles parted ways with coach Andy Reid following a disappointing season in 2012. Since being hired by the Kansas City Chiefs the following year, Reid has cemented his status as one of the NFL’s greatest coaches, guiding the Chiefs to four Super Bowl appearances and clinching three victories.
In a league with only 18 senior coaching positions, the stakes in the AFL are undeniably high. It’s time for AFL coaches and clubs to break free from the shackles of tradition and embrace the wild ride on the coaching carousel. Only then can they ensure that their legacies remain untarnished and their talents recognised across the league.
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The Bulldogs have a win-loss record of 3-5, including Sunday’s disappointing loss to Hawthorn. They have faced just two teams from last year’s finals series. It is about to get much harder with daunting fixtures against the AFL’s pace-setters.
With the bye looming in round 15, they are facing a call on their premiership-winning coach.
Amid two turbulent seasons on the field, concerns with player retention, a breakdown in the team’s game style, the stagnation of player performance and an array of mixed messages from the Kennel, a shadow looms over Beveridge’s coaching future.
He may only have six weeks left as an AFL senior coach. It didn’t have to be this way.