FATAL DISTRACTION
Fallout fears from coach’s personal life
DAMIEN Hardwick chose radio for his first interview to talk about his marriage breakup and its effect on the Richmond Football Club.
If listeners wanted a titillating warts-and-all offering from the coach — when, why, how long — they would be disappointed with the outcome.
In normal times, Hardwick likes to shut down commentary about topics he doesn’t want to discuss. But on Monday it might just have been a record for him.
From the top, Hardwick said: “I’m very much of the opinion people’s private lives should be just that, which is private.
“I know sections of the media won’t treat it that way, but that’s how I’m treating it first and foremost.
“Myself and Danielle’s No.1 priority will, and always has been, our three beautiful kids, and I’m very proud of the kids and the job Danielle and I have done in raising them.
“To finish the topic off, really, it’s been a difficult time for everyone and out of respect for Danielle and the kids, my private life is not something I’m comfortable speaking about.”
Bang. Quintessential Hardwick: answer the question, be respectful to the question, and then try to introduce the next topic in the same answer.
He’s absolutely right in what he says about private lives being private.
His problem — and he might not see it as a problem — is he brought his private life to the footy club.
In numerous press conferences in the past, he has mentioned the profound impact of “Mrs Hardwick” on him and the club.
It’s why radio commentator Tim Watson on Monday didn’t allow Hardwick to shoot down the questioning.
How does he think the players will be affected by his marriage breakdown and his new relationship with Richmond staffer Alexandra Crow?
Hardwick spoke of distractions bringing down great teams.
The fact he brought up this line of thinking tells us that these events have the potential to be a distraction.
“We just finished a terrific pre-season camp, and we always speak about things that are distractions in our lives and distractions that might bring about the demise of great teams,’’ he said.
“That’s the reality of competition, sides are always dealing with those distractions, but sides that deal with it best come out on top.’’
Clearly, time will tell.
Hardwick on Monday did not address — nor was he asked — about the depth of his conversations with president Peggy O’Neal or chief executive Brendon Gale, or with captain Trent Cotchin.
As much as Hardwick said all he wanted to on Monday, the topic of him leaving his wife for a younger woman who works at Richmond and the club’s concern about that, if it has any, would be addressed again soon enough.
O’Neal and Gale are certain to be under the spotlight in their next interviews.
Indeed, if the Tigers’ season falls apart early, Hardwick would likely be asked to address the elephant in the room yet again.
Time will tell.
As for Hardwick, he, like any person, has the right to choose how happy he wants to be in life.
Some people already hate him for the decision to dump his wife, and others couldn’t care less. It should be absolutely no one’s business outside the parties involved, notwithstanding the pain it has caused.
But, in a football sense, if it does affect the way the Tigers play and prepare under their banner of vulnerability, care and authenticity, then more questions loom — for Hardwick, O’Neal, Gale, and the skipper.
Until then, this topic should be finished.