Damien Hardwick knew it was time to leave Richmond when it became obvious there would be no last dance.
The three-time AFL premiership coach had tears in his eyes on Tuesday as he detailed his shock decision to resign immediately, calling Richmond "the love of my life".
In the lead-up to the 2023 campaign, Hardwick watched the landmark documentary which focused on Michael Jordan's final NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls.
Once he saw there would be no such fairytale, with Richmond languishing in 14th spot nearly halfway through the season, the 50-year-old knew his time had come.
He was contracted until the end of next year, but coached Saturday night's one-point loss to Essendon knowing it would be his swan song.
"I made the fatal mistake of watching The Last Dance … I thought it may have been, but once I decided that part of the equation started to slip away, I started to question myself and what it was like to coach Richmond," said Hardwick.
"As soon as I started to ask the question more, I started to understand what the answer was going to be.
"If I couldn't give 100 per cent, there was no way I was going to coach the footy club.
"If I couldn't give this playing group, this club, these people beside me the very best of Damien Hardwick, I wasn't prepared to see it out."
Hardwick decided against a farewell game this weekend against Port Adelaide at the MCG, with the reins handed instead to interim coach Andrew McQualter.
Hardwick leaves with his legacy assured as one of the most important figures in the Tigers' history.
He coached Richmond for 307 games — a club record.
His farewell media conference was packed with Richmond players and staff, who gave him rousing applause.
He took over in 2010 when Richmond were a laughing stock and restored them to greatness, surviving a post-season review in 2016 to engineering their drought-breaking premiership a year later.
The 2019-20 flags followed and he leaves the Tigers in solid shape.
Far from being a club in turmoil with their coach bailing after round 10, Richmond are buoyant and McQualter will take over one of the league's most solid football programs.
"It gives the club the greatest opportunity to find the next coach," Hardwick said.
"It was just time. I've tried to cook the sausages 1000 ways and I couldn't find 1001."
Hardwick spoke expansively at Tuesday's announcement about the stresses of the job and said his only priority now was to take a break.
Inevitably, his name will be linked to every vacant AFL senior coaching job, but for the time being he says he is not interested in any of it.
"The biggest thing on my plate at the moment is just to decompress … I just need a break," he said.
Hardwick spoke of the dark cave in his mind that he entered frequently during the bad times as coach, often comparing notes with his great friend and coaching rival Alastair Clarkson.
His decision, broken to the Tigers late on Monday, came only five days after Clarkson took indefinite leave from North Melbourne as he struggles with the Hawthorn racism saga.
Hardwick is among several senior coaches whose marriages did not survive the unique stresses of the 2020-21 COVID-19 seasons.
Asked what he would do now, Hardwick said he had received plenty of advice, with star player and noted party goer Dustin Martin suggesting a holiday in Ibiza.
Prior to taking over at Richmond, Hardwick was a hard-nosed premiership defender at Essendon and Port Adelaide before working under Clarkson as an assistant coach at Hawthorn from 2005.
"It's a tough gig being an AFL coach but the support I've received from the majority of people has been absolutely outstanding," he said.
"The Richmond football club has been the love of my life."
Richmond president John O'Rourke paid tribute to Hardwick's legacy.
"History was created under his watch and for that we will be forever indebted," he told reporters.
— with AAP
Look back at Hardwick's press conference and the reaction to his departure in our blog below.
Key events
Live updates
That is where we will leave the blog
By Claudia Williams
Thank you for joining us today.
Damien Hardwick is one of the greatest coaches of the modern era.
As Kyle Pollard writes he is aggressive, dynamic, and a tactical sorcerer.
But while his success is as much a product of the man, it is also a result of the faith the people above offered him throughout, in a footy world that is quick to jump off the ride as the first dip in the rollercoaster looms.
Read Kyle's analysis on Hardwick's rise at the Tigers below.
McQualter holds training at Punt Road
By Claudia Williams
It is all systems go for the Tigers!
After attending the press conference the players had their first training session with interim coach Andrew McQualty.
The Tigers will host Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday.
What's next for Hardwick? Dusty says he should go to Ibiza
By Claudia Williams
Hardwick says the players have been weighing in on what his next move should be.
"The biggest thing on my plate at the moment is to decompress and let it all go.
"I was speaking to some of the players and Dustin (Martin) suggested I go to Ibiza and Bake (Liam Baker) suggested I go to Lake Grace.
"It is somewhere in between where I will find myself.
"I am just looking forward to a break."
Hardwick's honours add up
By Andrew McGarry
As the AFL's tweet outlines, it's not just the 170 wins from 307 games, or the three flags at the Tigers, it's the fact he was a three-time all-Australian coach and AFLCA coach's coach of the year in 2017.
It's a heck of a resume, and as we have said, places him in the top echelon of coaches of the modern era.
What experience does Andrew McQualter bring?
By Claudia Williams
Former St Kilda player Andrew McQaulter will step in as interim coach.
He had a coaching and playing role with Richmonds VFL team in 2014 and 2015 before joining the club's AFL coaching team.
As a player, McQualter was picked up by St Kilda at number 14 in the 2004 draft.
He debuted for the Saints in his first season but was demoted the the club's rookie list at the end of 2007.
He played in grand finals for the Saints in 2009 and 2010.
He earned his way back into the team the next season and continued at the club until he was delisted in 2011.
He joined the Gold Coast Suns rookie list the next season.
Will Hardwick's departure start AFL coaching merry-go-round?
By Andrew McGarry
Whenever an AFL coach leaves a club - particularly when they are highly-regarded - discussion starts on their next move.
Hardwick's announcement has made it clear he needs time out from the game, to watch and enjoy it rather than being on the coaching carousel. But that may not stop the speculation.
Bottom-of-the-ladder West Coast, who were beaten by previous cellar-dwellers Hawthorn by 116 points in Launceston on the weekend, have shown no signs of moving away from 2018 premiership coach Adam Simpson. However they have only one win for the season so far, and a tough year lies ahead.
The Hawks have their man in Sam Mitchell, who took over from Alastair Clarkson last season.
The North Melbourne club also continues to struggle on-field and off — Clarkson last week took indefinite leave as Kangaroos coach to take care of his physical and emotional health amid the ongoing investigation into alleged racism during his time as Hawks coach. Senior assistant coach Brett Ratten took over as interim coach at North.
On the Gold Coast, Stuart Dew received a contract extension last year, but a first-ever finals appearance for the Suns looks a long way off.
And there is Hardwick's old club of Port Adelaide, where he won a flag in 2004 as a player. Coach Ken Hinkley comes out of contract at season's end, and negotiations are being left till later in the year.
2020: Tigers win premiership at the Gabba
By Claudia Williams
It was a grand final unlike any other in an unprecedented season.
Teams trained and played in hubs and the Tigers proved they were the best team in the competition, claiming victory at The Gabba over the Cats.
But it did not come without its challenges with indiscretions from players, both on and off the field.
They lost heavily to Brisbane in the first week of finals before being forced to the wire by Port Adelaide in the preliminary final.
But the Tigers prevailed with a 31-point victory over Geelong.
"We've had some incredible challenges an one thing I will say, when push comes to shove boys, you guys raise the bar," Hardwick said after the win.
"You're an incredible side. An incredible organisation."
How Damien Hardwick ended his last press conference as Tigers coach
By Andrew McGarry
Fans say thank you to Damien Hardwick
By Andrew McGarry
2019 - Tigers take all before them in grand final rout
By Andrew McGarry
A prelim final loss to the Magpies in 2018 had stunned the Tigers, and taken away their chance of going back-to-back.
The loss drove the Richmond players and their coach. It wasn't looking great midway through the year with the team at 7-6 after three straight losses.
But then the Tigers machine switched on in earnest, as they won their last nine games in row to finish third on percentage behind Geelong and Brisbane.
There would be no denying them this time around, with a 47-point win over Brisbane at the Gabba, and a 19-point win over Geelong at the MCG.
Standing in their way were the Giants from Western Sydney. With the MCG packed with fans in yellow and black, the result was only briefly in doubt, as Richmond roared to an 89-point win.
The Tigers had shown 2017 was no fluke, and Hardwick's reputation continued to climb.
'I love you to death': Outgoing Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says goodbye
By Andrew McGarry
Watch some of Damien Hardwick's emotional resignation press conference.
2017 - Hardwick hits the heights as Tigers end premiership drought
By Andrew McGarry
The pressure was on at Tigerland in 2017, after a failure to make finals the previous season.
The club had stuck with Hardwick amid calls for change.
Richmond came out of the gate fast, with five straight wins to start the season. There was a blip after that where the Tigers lost four in a row but then they gradually picked up speed as a unit.
The Richmond "chaos footy" style would eventually sweep all before it, with the likes of Dustin Martin, Dion Prestia, Daniel Rioli, skipper Trent Cotchin, key forward Jack Riewoldt and others combining driving the team on.
There was a surge of excitement as the Tigers were back in real flag contention, and the club would win six of their last seven games to secure the double chance.
Under Hardwick's leadership, the Tigers were unstoppable in the finals, beating Geelong by 51 points, then GWS by six goals in the prelim and finally dominating favourites Adelaide by 48 points for Richmond's first flag in 37 years.
Hardwick had repaid the club's faith in him and was now a premiership coach.
Let's put things in perspective
By Andrew McGarry
Damien Hardwick has been at Richmond a long time - his first AFL season as coach ended with the drawn grand final between Collingwood and St Kilda, with the Magpies winning the replay.
The best part of 14 seasons is a true era in football terms, and Tigers fans, players and administrators all have reason to thank Hardwick for his time and service to the club, and for returning the Yellow and Black to the top echelon of the AFL after a long time away.
Let's look at some of the highlights from Hardwick's coaching time at Richmond.
'From laughing stock to most feared club in the land': fans respond
By Andrew McGarry
It's still very much a feeling of shock, however Dimma's comments last years suggested he wasn't in it for a full list renewal. And a mid-season departure feels right, giving the club plenty of time to search for the right replacement, be it a recycled coach or a first-timer. Still, it's hard not to be reflective. From laughing stock to most feared club in the land. From two finals appearances in 30-odd years to three premierships in four years. We Tigers have much to be grateful for, and countless great memories to look back on. Thanks for everything, Dimma.
- Nick James
Hardwick thanks the 'Tiger Army'
By Claudia Williams
Sad but happy - he has given us everything we have ever wanted, life is bigger than a game, he and Richmond are a testament to that.
- Richmond supporter
Damien Hardwick has thanked the Tiger Army for their unwavering support.
He says it looks forward to seeing a big crowd at this weekend's game against Port Adeliade to help get the club's season back on track.
"The Tiger army is incredible," he said.
Hardwick leaves to a standing ovation
By Andrew McGarry
The press conference ends, with Hardwick acknowledging the club, the fans and the players. There is a well-deserved ovation from those present.
The Damien Hardwick era ends at Tigerland.
Hardwick jokes about call to star forward Jack Riewoldt
By Andrew McGarry
Along with the emotion, Hardwick is showing his sense of humour, taking aim at his bad jokes the players have had to deal with.
He shares a story of calling star forward Jack Riewoldt - as famous for singing on stage with The Killers after that first flag win in 2017 as for his hundreds of goals for the Tigers - to give him a heads up.
"I rang Jack and I asked him if he was available to catch up, and Jack made it all about him," Hardwick joked.
"I said it's not all about you! but it just sums Jack up to be fair!"
'I just want to celebrate my time here' - Hardwick reflects
By Andrew McGarry
Asked about the increasing pressures of the game, and it's finances, Hardwick has tried to deflect commentary to others.
Through COVID, the budgetary restraints on teams have tightened, with more and more pressure on spending and the so-called 'soft cap'.
'The soft cap will be an issue no doubt, but I'll leave that to others, I just want to celebrate my time here," Hardwick said.
He has paid tribute to the players he has worked with, and brought things back to the personal rather than the grand final successes.
"The silverware is a product of the people you meet," he said.
"I've seen people (players) meet, get married and have kids - that's even better than the silverware."
How are we feeling Tigers fans?
By Claudia Williams
Damien Hardwick has been key to Richmond's success in recent years.
Tap the blue comment button to share how you are feeling about him stepping down.
Hardwick says he had an idea this would be his last year
By Claudia Williams
"As a coach you always question yourself, it's a lonely job, a great job, don't get me wrong, I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity, but it is challenging at various stages," he said.
Hardwick said after having had so much success in the past the losses were hard.
"I had a fair indication at the start of the year that I would like this to be my last year and then when the season did not turn out as I would have liked it as much, I started to question whether I was the right man for this job, and I asked myself the question more and more.
"If you keep asking yourself the question, you know the answer."
