View source for Damien Hardwick

{{short description|Australian rules footballer, born 1972}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox AFL biography
| name = Damien Hardwick
| image = Damien Hardwick 28.02.20.jpg
| caption = Hardwick in February 2020
| fullname = Damien Patrick Hardwick
| nickname = Dimma
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|8|18|df=yes}}
| birth_place = 
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| originalteam = North Melbourne U19's/[[Casey Scorpions|Springvale F.C]]
| draftpick = No. 87, [[1992 AFL draft|1992 national draft]]
| height = 180 cm
| weight = 82 kg
| position = Wingman/Defender
| years1 = 1993&ndash;2001
| club1 = {{AFL Ess}}
| games_goals1 = 153 (13)
| years2 = 2002&ndash;2004
| club2 = {{AFL|PA}}
| games_goals2 = 54 (1)
| games_goalstotal = 207 (14)
| statsend = 2004
| coachyears1 = 2010–2023
| coachclub1 = {{AFL Ric}}
| coachgames_wins1 = 307 (170–131–6)
| coachyears2 = 2024–
| coachclub2 = {{AFL GC}}
| coachgames_wins2 = {{0}}37 {{0}}(20–17–0)
| coachgames_winstotal = 344 (190-148–6)
| coachyears3 = '''Club total'''
| coachclub3 = 
| coachgames_wins3 = '''344 (190–148–6)'''
| coachyears4 = <br>2020
| coachclub4 = '''Representative'''<br>[[Victoria Australian rules football team|Victoria]]
| coachgames_wins4 = <br>{{0|00}}1 (1–0–0)
| coachstatsend = round 16, 2025
| careerhighlights = '''Playing'''
*2× [[List of Australian Football League premiers|AFL premiership player]]: [[2000 AFL Grand Final|2000]], [[2004 AFL Grand Final|2004]]
*[[W. S. Crichton Medal]]: 1998
*[[All-Australian team]]: [[2000 All-Australian team|2000]]
*2x [[International rules]] series: 2000, 2001
*2x [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]] Under-19s premiership player: 1990, 1991
'''Coaching'''
*3× [[List of VFL/AFL premiership captains and coaches|AFL premiership coach]]: [[2017 AFL Grand Final|2017]], [[2019 AFL Grand Final|2019]], [[2020 AFL Grand Final|2020]]
* 3× [[All-Australian Team]]: [[2017 All-Australian team|2017]], [[2019 All-Australian team|2019]], [[2020 All-Australian team|2020]]
*[[AFL Coaches Association awards#Allan Jeans Senior Coach of the Year Award|AFLCA Coach of the Year]]: [[2017 AFL season|2017]]
* [[Victoria Australian rules football team|Victoria representative honours]] in [[State of Origin for Bushfire Relief Match]]: 2020
}}

'''Damien Patrick Hardwick''' (born 18 August 1972) is a current [[Australian rules football]] coach and former player who is the head coach of the [[Gold Coast Suns]] in the [[Australian Football League]].<ref name= "Gold Coast contract">{{cite web|url=https://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/1412087/damien-hardwick-joins-the-gold-coast-suns|title=Damien Hardwick joins the Gold Coast SUNS|author=SUNS Media|website=[[Gold Coast Suns]]|publisher=[[Australian Football League]]|date=21 August 2023|access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref> He is the former senior coach of the [[Richmond Football Club]], serving in the role between 2010 and mid-2023 inclusive and winning three premierships.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/club/about/staff-members |title=Staff Members |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2014 |website=Richmond Football Club |access-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507085905/http://www.richmondfc.com.au/club/about/staff-members |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Hardwick played 207 AFL games as a defender, comprising 153 games for [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]] (1993–2001) and 54 games for [[Port Adelaide Football Club|Port Adelaide]] (2002–2004). He won premierships with each club, in [[2000 AFL Grand Final|2000]] and [[2004 AFL Grand Final|2004]] respectively.

Hardwick was appointed head coach of Richmond at the end of the [[2009 AFL season|2009 season]], in which the club had placed second-last. In 2013, Hardwick's fourth season in charge, Richmond returned to the finals after an eleven-year absence, and in 2017 they defeated [[Adelaide Football Club|Adelaide]] in [[2017 AFL Grand Final|the Grand Final]] to claim their first premiership since 1980. Hardwick also coached Richmond to the 2019 and 2020 premierships and is the longest-tenured coach in the club's history.

==Early life==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=January 2024}}
He attended [[St. Joseph's College, Ferntree Gully|St Joseph's College]] in [[Ferntree Gully]]. Hardwick was a key player in the school's football side, which was highly competitive against other private schools in the EIS sports program. In football, Hardwick was usually on the field for most of the game and known to be a tough, hard working, and versatile player who kept stability in play for his side. Although he was often outclassed by others on field, his all round abilities were vital to the side.

==AFL playing career==

===Essendon===
Beginning his AFL career with the [[Essendon Football Club]] in 1994, Hardwick was known as a tough, solid defender. His aggressive nature sometimes got him into trouble at the [[AFL Tribunal]]. He was a crucial member of Essendon's 2000 premiership side.<ref name=e>{{Ref AFL Encyc|5th|293&ndash;294}}</ref><ref name="DAMIEN HARDWICK">{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/Damien%2BHardwick/13295|title=DAMIEN HARDWICK|access-date=15 April 2022}}</ref> Hardwick played for Essendon from 1994 until 2001 for a total of  153 games and  13 goals.<ref name="australianfootball.com">{{cite web|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/player/Damien%2BHardwick/13295|title=DAMIEN HARDWICK|access-date=14 September 2023}}</ref>

===Port Adelaide===
Hardwick was traded from Essendon to the [[Port Adelaide Football Club]] at the end of the 2001 season,<ref name="DAMIEN HARDWICK"/>
and played with the side from 2002 until his retirement at the end of the 2004 season for a total of 54 games and one goal.<ref name=e/> He was part of Port's premiership win in 2004. In the [[2004 AFL Grand Final|2004 Grand Final]] he won three free kicks at crucial times, including a reversal against [[Jason Akermanis]] which cost the [[Brisbane Lions]] a shot at goal.<ref name="DAMIEN HARDWICK"/>

==AFL coaching career==
[[File:Damien Hardwick interviewed.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Hardwick being interviewed by [[Tom Harley]] in 2013]]

===Hawthorn Football Club assistant coach (2005–2009)===
In 2005, Hardwick began working as an assistant coach under senior coach [[Alastair Clarkson]] at [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]].<ref name="abc.net.au">{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-08-25/tigers-to-name-hardwick-as-new-coach/1404342|title=Tigers to name Hardwick as new coach|website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date= 25 August 2009|access-date=26 March 2022}}</ref> In 2007, he was shortlisted for the senior coaching job at [[Melbourne Football Club]]. However, he was unsuccessful, with the position going to [[Dean Bailey]]. Following this application, he was also shortlisted for the senior coaching job at Essendon Football Club to replace the outgoing [[Kevin Sheedy (Australian footballer)|Kevin Sheedy]]. However, he was overlooked in favour of former Richmond captain [[Matthew Knights]].<ref name="abc.net.au"/>

===Richmond Football Club senior coach (2010–2023)===
On August 25, 2009, Hardwick received his first senior coaching job when he was appointed as the senior coach of [[Richmond Football Club]] for three years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/hardwick-appointed-richmond-coach-in-three-year-deal/story-e6frg1wu-1225766372454 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131212130537/http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/hardwick-appointed-richmond-coach-in-three-year-deal/story-e6frg1wu-1225766372454 |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 December 2013 |title=Hardwick appointed Richmond coach in three-year deal |last1=Vaughan |first1=Roger |date=26 August 2009 |website=Perth Now |publisher=News Ltd |access-date=12 December 2013 }}</ref><ref name="abc.net.au"/> Hardwick replaced Richmond Football Club caretaker senior coach [[Jade Rawlings]], who replaced [[Terry Wallace]], after Wallace resigned during the middle of the [[2009 AFL season|2009 season]], when the Tigers were struggling.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-new-man-inherits-a-task-burdened-by-mistakes-of-the-past-20090826-ge827e.html|title=Tigers' new man inherits a task burdened by mistakes of the past|date=26 August 2009|access-date=26 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/lions-coaching-revamp-roars-on-20090916-ge83i5.html|title=Lions' coaching revamp roars on|date=16 September 2009|access-date=18 February 2022}}</ref> In March 2012, Hardwick agreed to a two-year contract extension.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-15/tigers-re-sign-hardwick/3892670 |title=Tigers re-sign Hardwick to new deal  |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->  |date=16 March 2012 |website=ABC News |publisher=ABC |access-date=12 December 2013}}</ref> On 11 December 2013, club president, [[Peggy O'Neal (lawyer)|Peggy O'Neal]], announced that Hardwick had accepted a two-year contract extension that tied him to the club at least until the end of the 2016 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/damien-hardwick-gets-twoyear-contract-extension-20131211-2z69h.html |title=Damien Hardwick gets two-year contract extension  |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->  |date=11 December 2013 |website=The Age |access-date=12 December 2013}}</ref> In 2016, Hardwick agreed to a two-year contract extension to the end of the 2018 season. In 2017, Hardwick coached Richmond to their first premiership since 1980 and their 11th overall with a 48-point victory over the [[Adelaide Crows]]. In 2019, Hardwick coached Richmond to another premiership and their 12th overall. Richmond beat [[GWS Giants]] by 89 points. In 2020, Hardwick coached Richmond to their third premiership in four years, and 13th overall. He also coached the [[Victoria Australian rules football team|Victoria]] [[Interstate matches in Australian rules football|State of Origin]] side in the one-off [[2020 AFL season#State of Origin match|2020 State of Origin]] match that was played on 28 February 2020 at [[Docklands Stadium|Marvel Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/366068/mate-v-mate-how-the-vic-v-all-stars-teams-will-be-picked|title=Mate v mate: How the Vic v All Stars teams will be picked|publisher=[[Australian Football League]]|first=Mitch|last=Cleary|date=15 January 2020|access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>

Hardwick's first season at Richmond as senior coach in the [[2010 AFL season|2010 season]] did not begin well, with nine straight losses to start the season as well as a few disciplinary issues arising at the club. However, in round 10 the Tigers had a breakthrough win; defeating Port Adelaide by 47 points in extremely wet conditions in Adelaide. They also set a new record for the most tackles ever made in an AFL match (142) since records began in 1987,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/teamshi.html#H09|title=Most Tackles In A Game (1987–2012)}}</ref> and kept Port Adelaide to their lowest ever score.<ref>[http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/95270/default.aspx Tigers maul Power] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601033831/http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/95270/default.aspx |date=1 June 2010 }}</ref> The club went on to win five more games making a total of six in Hardwick's first season. They finished the season in 15th position.<ref>[http://afltables.com/afl/seas/ladders/laddersyby.html#2010 2010 results from AFL tables]</ref> Richmond under Hardwick over the next 2 seasons continue to show improvement winning 8 games and a draw in the [[2011 AFL season|2011 season]], improving that to 10 wins and a draw in the [[2012 AFL season|2012 season]]. In the [[2013 AFL season|2013 season]], Hardwick coached Richmond to its first finals series since [[2001 AFL season|2001]], and only its third since 1982. {{AFL Car}} defeated Richmond by 20 points in the elimination final after the Tigers led by 26 points at half-time, eliminating Richmond from the finals series.<ref>[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/finals-bound-richmond-has-plenty-to-prove-says-coach-damien-hardwick/story-fni5f9jb-1226698407990 Finals-bound Richmond  has plenty to prove says coach Damien Hardwick], ''The Herald Sun'', 16 August 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-08/carlton-gives-richmond-the-blues-with-mcg-knockout/4944496 Carlton knocks Richmond out of finals with 20-point MCG win to qualify for AFL semi-final], ''ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)'', 8 September 2013</ref> In the [[2014 AFL season|2014 season]], Hardwick's team started the year very poorly, having a win–loss record of 3–10 at one stage. But remarkably, the Tigers went on to win their last nine matches of the home and away season to just make it into the finals. Richmond were however beaten convincingly by Port Adelaide by 57 points in the Elimination Final, finishing the season in eighth place.

Hardwick began the [[2015 AFL season|2015 season]] under pressure to make amends for their past two failed Elimination Finals. It didn't start well, losing 4 out of the first 6 before recovering to finish the season in 5th place with 15 wins, same ladder position and win–loss record as 2013. Richmond came up against North Melbourne in the Elimination Final, but once again failed and Hardwick's team suffered their third consecutive first week finals exit. The [[2016 AFL season|2016 season]] was not a successful year for Hardwick as the Tigers finished the season with just 8 wins from 22 games. The highlight was the round 8 win against the Sydney Swans when Sam Lloyd kicked a goal after the siren. They finished 13th on the premiership ladder, their worst ladder position in four seasons.

[[File:Damien Hardwick 2017.jpg|thumb|right|Hardwick in 2017]]
In the [[2017 AFL season|2017 season]], Hardwick coached Richmond to their eleventh VFL/AFL premiership, defeating the Adelaide Crows by 48 points. After becoming the first coach in 37 years to guide {{AFL Ric}} to a grand final win in the [[2017 AFL Grand Final]], Hardwick was chosen as the [[AFL Coaches Association awards#Allan Jeans Senior Coach of the Year Award|AFLCA Coach of the Year]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/damien-hardwick-caps-amazing-tiger-turnaround-by-being-named-afl-coach-of-the-year/news-story/da14d380dc0c04d04595796f1c525c72|title=Damien Hardwick caps amazing Tiger turnaround by being named AFL Coach of the Year, following up with victory in the 2017 grand final against the Adelaide Crows. |first=Glenn|last=McFarlane|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=26 September 2017}}</ref> He joined a very small group to win three AFL premierships with three clubs as player and coach, ending Richmond's 37 Year drought in the process.

In the [[2018 AFL season|2018 season]], Hardwick followed up his successful 2017 season by coaching Richmond to their first minor premiership since 1982 and to the finals. Richmond were however eliminated by eventual runners-up [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]] by 39 points in the Preliminary Final.

In the [[2019 Richmond Football Club season|2019 season]], Hardwick became a two-time premiership coach, guiding Richmond to their second premiership in three years and twelfth overall with a resounding 89 point win over [[Greater Western Sydney Giants|GWS Giants]] in the [[2019 AFL Grand Final]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Little |first1=Craig |title=Marlion Pickett plays his way into AFL folklore with Richmond's leap of faith |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/29/marlion-pickett-plays-his-way-into-afl-folklore-with-richmonds-leap-of-faith |access-date=25 March 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=29 September 2019}}</ref> It was the third-highest margin of victory in a grand final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/28/ridiculous-richmond-tigers-demolish-gws-giants-in-afl-grand-final|title=Richmond demolish GWS Giants in AFL grand final|website=The Guardian|date=28 September 2019|accessdate=16 July 2021}}</ref>

In the [[2020 Richmond Football Club season|2020 season]], which was significantly affected by the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia]], Hardwick coached Richmond to their third premiership in four years and became a three-time premiership coach. Richmond finished third on the ladder at the end of the home-and-away season (with a record of 12 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw).<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFL Ladder|url=https://www.afl.com.au/ladder|access-date=2020-10-25|website=afl.com.au}}</ref> They lost to the [[Brisbane Lions]] (10.9.69 to 8.6.54) in their qualifying final, defeated the [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda Saints]] (12.8.80 to 6.13.49) in their semi-final, and defeated [[Port Adelaide Football Club|Port Adelaide]] (6.10.46 to 6.4.40) in their preliminary final. They defeated the [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong Cats]] by 31 points (12.9.81 to 7.8.50) in the [[2020 AFL Grand Final|grand final]] at [[The Gabba]] – the first grand final to be played outside Victoria and the first night-time grand final. Hardwick was heavily featured in the [[Amazon Prime Video|Prime Video]] web-series [[Making Their Mark]] which documented the [[2020 AFL season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-16/making-their-mark-afl-amazon-documentary-connection/100013396|title=Making Their Mark, Amazon's AFL documentary, offers genuine insight into the faults and fears of modern professional athletes|website=ABC|date=15 March 2021|accessdate=16 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/no-flyspray-allowed-for-fly-on-the-wall-doco-20210309-p5796l.html|title='You feel like this monster of a person': unguarded moments caught by Amazon's fly on the wall|website=The Age|date=9 March 2021|accessdate=16 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/mar/10/afl-documentary-gets-richmond-backing-despite-teams-off-field-scandals|title=AFL documentary gets Richmond backing despite team's off-field scandals|website=The Guardian|date=9 March 2021|accessdate=16 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-grand-final-2020--richmond-tigers-vs-geelong-cats-20201023-h1rmxa.html|title=AFL Grand Final 2020 – Richmond Tigers vs Geelong Cats|date=24 October 2020|access-date=25 September 2022}}</ref>

Despite aiming to become the seventh team to win three consecutive premierships, the [[2021 AFL season|2021 season]] was not a successful year for Hardwick as the Tigers finished the season with just 9 wins from 22 games. With a combination of multiple injured players and a lack of consistent form, Richmond finished 12th on the premiership ladder, their worst ladder position since 2016 and failed to make finals for the first time in five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/arrogant-afl-private-relief-over-richmond-tigers-disaster-caroline-wilson-ch9-damien-hardwick-021410839.html|title='Arrogant': AFL's private relief over Richmond Tigers disaster|date=16 August 2021|access-date=3 April 2022}}</ref>

On 22 May 2023, Hardwick unexpectedly announced his immediate resignation from his role as senior coach of the Richmond Football Club, mid-season after Round 10, 2023 . The reason for his resignation was given due to burnout and the stress involved as being a senior coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-23/damien-hardwick-set-to-quit-as-tigers-coach/102380210|title=Damien Hardwick confirms he is stepping down as Richmond Tigers coach|website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=22 May 2023|access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/i-m-done-i-m-cooked-inside-hardwick-s-exit-20230523-p5dal1.html|title='I'm done. I'm cooked': Inside Hardwick's exit|date=23 May 2023|access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/may/23/damien-hardwick-quits-richmond-tigers-afl-coach|title=Damien Hardwick quits as Richmond AFL coach in shock mid-season call|website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=23 May 2023|access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/damien-hardwick-quits-richmond-in-coaching-bombshell/news-story/dfb5ee52b1f638dd1530408daf86d1f0|title=Coaching bombshell: Damien Hardwick quits as Richmond coach in decision that shocks AFL|date=23 May 2023|access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/932440/tiger-shock-damien-hardwick-to-quit-as-richmond-coach|title='It became a little bit much': Hardwick quits as Tigers coach|date=22 May 2023|access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="news.com.au">{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/damien-hardwick-reveals-real-reason-for-decision-to-quit-tigers/news-story/8235bd09b21f0ec112bbc2de3c25101f|title=Damien Hardwick in tears, reveals 'fatal mistake' before quitting Richmond|date=22 May 2023|access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref> Hardwick was then replaced by assistant coach [[Andrew McQualter]] as caretaker senior coach of Richmond Football Club for the remainder of the 2023 season.<ref name="news.com.au"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-23/tigers-great-damien-hardwick-to-address-shock-call-quit/102379822|title=Damien Hardwick confirms resignation as Richmond coach in 14th season at Punt Road|website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=22 May 2023|access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref>

===Gold Coast Suns senior coach (2024–present)===
On 21 August 2023, Hardwick was announced as the senior coach of the [[Gold Coast Suns]] on a six-year contract, starting from the 2024 season.<ref name= "Gold Coast contract"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-21/damien-hardwick-coach-gold-coast-suns-six-year-deal/102754254|title=Damien Hardwick joins Gold Coast Suns as head coach on six-year deal|website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=21 August 2023|access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/damien-hardwick-to-be-announced-as-suns-new-coach-20230821-p5dy3d.html|title=Damien Hardwick laughs off 'Dusty' talk, says Suns are ready to launch|date=21 August 2023|access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/suns-set-to-unveil-damien-hardwick-as-new-coach/news-story/8ed0ade1709e1e4388d6bb4503ce9fae|title=Gold Coast officially unveil Damien Hardwick as their new coach|date=21 August 2023|access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/afl/suns-set-to-unveil-damien-hardwick-as-new-coach/news-story/8ed0ade1709e1e4388d6bb4503ce9fae|title=Gold Coast officially unveil Damien Hardwick as their new coach|date=21 August 2023|access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref> Hardwick replaced Gold Coast Suns caretaker senior coach [[Steven King (footballer)|Steven King]], who replaced [[Stuart Dew]] after Dew was sacked in the middle of the 2023 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1003701/someone-every-club-would-love-to-have-steven-king-backs-gold-coast-suns-chase-of-damien-hardwick|title='Someone every club would love to have': King backs Suns' Dimma chase|date=8 August 2023|access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref>

==Statistics==
===Playing statistics===
:<ref>[http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/D/Damien_Hardwick.html Damien Hardwick's player profile at AFL Tables]</ref>

{{AFL player statistics legend|p=y}}
{{AFL player statistics start with votes}}
|-
| [[1994 AFL season|1994]] || {{AFL Ess}} || 39
| 17 || 6 || 4 || 176 || 107 || 283 || 62 || 29 || 0.4 || 0.2 || 10.4 || 6.3 || 16.6 || 3.6 || 1.7 || 3
|-
| [[1995 AFL season|1995]] || {{AFL Ess}} || 39
| 16 || 2 || 1 || 123 || 97 || 220 || 38 || 31 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 7.7 || 6.1 || 13.8 || 2.4 || 1.9 || 0
|-
| [[1996 AFL season|1996]] || {{AFL Ess}} || 39
| 17 || 1 || 1 || 170 || 102 || 272 || 60 || 22 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 10.0 || 6.0 || 16.0 || 3.5 || 1.3 || 0
|-
| [[1997 AFL season|1997]] || {{AFL Ess}} || 39
| 15 || 3 || 2 || 177 || 87 || 264 || 55 || 26 || 0.2 || 0.1 || 11.8 || 5.8 || 17.6 || 3.7 || 1.7 || 3
|-
| [[1998 AFL season|1998]] || {{AFL Ess}} || 11
| 23 || 0 || 1 || 325 || 117 || 442 || 87 || 43 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 14.1 || 5.1 || 19.2 || 3.8 || 1.9 || 9
|-
| [[1999 AFL season|1999]] || {{AFL Ess}} || 11
| 20 || 0 || 0 || 246 || 108 || 354 || 51 || 32 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 12.3 || 5.4 || 17.7 || 2.6 || 1.6 || 0
|-
| bgcolor=F0E68C | '''[[2000 AFL season|2000]]'''<sup>#</sup> || {{AFL Ess}} || 11
| 24 || 0 || 1 || 270 || 172 || 442 || 71 || 55 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 11.3 || 7.2 || 18.4 || 3.0 || 2.3 || 0
|-
| [[2001 AFL season|2001]] || {{AFL Ess}} || 11
| 21 || 1 || 0 || 203 || 155 || 358 || 72 || 41 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 9.7 || 7.4 || 17.0 || 3.4 || 2.0 || 0
|-
| [[2002 AFL season|2002]] || {{AFL PA}} || 11
| 20 || 0 || 1 || 182 || 121 || 303 || 58 || 50 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 9.1 || 6.1 || 15.2 || 2.9 || 2.5 || 0
|-
| [[2003 AFL season|2003]] || {{AFL PA}} || 11
| 20 || 0 || 2 || 154 || 111 || 265 || 57 || 42 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 7.7 || 5.6 || 13.3 || 2.9 || 2.1 || 0
|-
| bgcolor=F0E68C | '''[[2004 AFL season|2004]]'''<sup>#</sup> || {{AFL PA}} || 11
| 14 || 1 || 0 || 80 || 86 || 166 || 34 || 27 || 0.1 || 0.0 || 5.7 || 6.1 || 11.9 || 2.4 || 1.9 || 0
|- class="sortbottom"
! colspan=3| Career
! 207 !! 14 !! 13 !! 2106 !! 1263 !! 3369 !! 645 !! 398 !! 0.1 !! 0.1 !! 10.2 !! 6.1 !! 16.3 !! 3.1 !! 1.9 !! 15
|}

===Coaching statistics===
:''Statistics are correct to the end of Round 24, 2024.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/coaches/Damien_Hardwick.html|title=Damien Hardwick's coaching profile|publisher=AFL Tables}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|+
! rowspan="2" |Team
! rowspan="2" |Year
! colspan="5" |Home and Away Season
! colspan="4" |Finals
|-
!Won
!Lost
!Drew
!Win %
!Position
!Won
!Lost
!Win %
!Result
|-
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2010 AFL season|2010]]
|6
|16
|0
|.273
|15th out of 16
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2011 AFL season|2011]]
|8
|13
|1
|.364
|12th out of 17
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2012 AFL season|2012]]
|10
|11
|1
|.456
|12th out of 18
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2013 AFL season|2013]]
|15
|7
|0
|.682
|'''5th out of 18'''
|0
|1
|.000
|'''<small>Lost to [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]] in [[2013 AFL finals series|Elimination Final]]</small>'''
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2014 AFL season|2014]]
|12
|10
|0
|.545
|'''8th out of 18'''
|0
|1
|.000
|'''<small>Lost to [[Port Adelaide Football Club|Port Adelaide]] in [[2014 AFL finals series|Elimination Final]]</small>'''
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2015 AFL season|2015]]
|15
|7
|0
|.682
|'''5th out of 18'''
|0
|1
|.000
|'''<small>Lost to [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]] in [[2015 AFL finals series|Elimination Final]]</small>'''
|-
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2016 AFL season|2016]]
|8
|14
|0
|.364
|13th out of 18
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2017 AFL season|2017]]
|15
|7
|0
|.682
|'''3rd out of 18'''
|3
|0
|1.000
|'''<small>Defeated [[Adelaide Football Club|Adelaide]] in [[2017 AFL Grand Final|Grand Final]]</small>'''
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2018 AFL season|2018]]
|18
|4
|0
|.818
|'''1st out of 18'''
|1
|1
|.500
|'''<small>Lost to [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]] in [[2018 AFL finals series|Preliminary Final]]</small>'''
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2019 AFL season|2019]]
|16
|6
|0
|.727
|'''3rd out of 18'''
|3
|0
|1.000
|'''<small>Defeated [[Greater Western Sydney Giants|GWS]] in [[2019 AFL Grand Final|Grand Final]]</small>'''
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2020 AFL season|2020]]
|12
|4
|1
|.706
|'''3rd out of 18'''
|3
|1
|.750
|'''<small>Defeated [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]] in [[2020 AFL Grand Final|Grand Final]]</small>'''
|-
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2021 AFL season|2021]]
|9
|12
|1
|.409
|12th out of 18
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2022 AFL season|2022]]
|13
|8
|1
|.591
|'''7th out of 18'''
|0
|1
|.000
|'''<small>Lost to [[Brisbane Lions|Brisbane]] in [[2022 AFL finals series|Elimination Final]]</small>'''
|-
![[Richmond Football Club|RIC]]
![[2023 AFL season|2023]]
|3
|6
|1
|.300
|15th out of 18*
| -
| -
| -
| <small>Resigned after round 10</small>
|-
! colspan="2" |RIC Total
!170
!131
!6
!0.553
!
!10
!6
!
!
|-
![[Gold Coast Suns|GC]]
![[2024 AFL season|2024]]
|11
|12
|0
|.478
|13th out of 18
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-
! colspan="2" |GC Total
!11
!12
!0
!.478
!
!-
!-
!-
!
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!181
!143
!6
!.546
!
!10
!6
!
!
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Ladder position after Hardwick's final match

==Honours and achievements==
*[[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]] Under-19s premiership player: 1990, 1991
*[[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]] [[best and fairest]] 1998
*[[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]] premiership player 2000
*[[All-Australian]] 2000
*[[International rules]] series: 2000, 2001
*[[Port Adelaide Football Club|Port Adelaide]] premiership player 2004
*[[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]] premiership assistant coach 2008
*{{AFL Ric}} premiership coach: 2017, 2019, 2020
*[[Jock McHale Medal]]: 2017, 2019, 2020
*AFLCA Coach of the Year 2017

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{AFL Tables|D/Damien_Hardwick}}

{{Gold Coast player squad}}
{{AFL coaches}}
{{2000 Essendon premiership players}}
{{2004 Port Adelaide premiership players}}
{{2017 Richmond premiership players}}
{{2019 Richmond premiership players}}
{{2020 Richmond premiership players}}
{{2020 Victorian team players}}
{{Jock McHale Medal}}
{{Allan Jeans award}}
{{Richmond Football Club coaches}}
{{Gold Coast Football Club coaches}}
{{W. S. Crichton Medal}}
{{2000 All-Australian team}}
{{2017 All-Australian team}}
{{2019 All-Australian team}}
{{2020 All-Australian team}}
{{2000 Australian international rules team}}
{{2001 Australian international rules team}}
{{1992 AFL national draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hardwick, Damien}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Essendon Football Club players]]
[[Category:Essendon Football Club premiership players]]
[[Category:Richmond Football Club coaches]]
[[Category:Richmond Football Club premiership coaches]]
[[Category:Port Adelaide Football Club players]]
[[Category:Port Adelaide Football Club premiership players]]
[[Category:Port Adelaide Football Club players (all competitions)]]
[[Category:All-Australians (AFL)]]
[[Category:Crichton Medal winners]]
[[Category:Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Australia international rules football team players]]
[[Category:All-Australian coaches]]
[[Category:VFL/AFL premiership players]]
[[Category:VFL/AFL premiership coaches]]
[[Category:Casey Demons players]]