Hardwick’s chance to spoil Tigers’ farewell party

Joanna Guelas |

Damien Hardwick is plotting Richmond’s downfall at the MCG for the first time since shifting clubs.
Damien Hardwick is plotting Richmond’s downfall at the MCG for the first time since shifting clubs.

As the AFL world prepares to farewell Richmond great Dustin Martin, Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick insists it will be business as usual for his team.

The Suns, well out of finals contention in 14th (10-12), are out to clinch one more confidence-boosting win in their first season under former Tigers coach Hardwick.

But another era ushered in by Hardwick will end when the Suns make their first trip to the MCG of the season on Saturday.

Martin, who retired effective immediately in early August, is set to say goodbye to the Richmond faithful alongside fellow three-time premiership teammate Dylan Grimes.

Two-time premiership hero Marlion Pickett joins the pair and will play his 91st and final game.

Longtime servant Brendon Gale also departs the club after 15 years as their chief executive to join the Tasmania Devils in the same role.

Meanwhile, in-demand stars Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli, Liam Baker and Jack Graham may be playing their final game for Richmond, while ruckman Sam Naismith has hung up the boots after his fourth ACL tear.

“It’s a big game for Richmond,” Hardwick said.

“They’ve got some retiring champions that have had stellar careers at that footy club and a CEO that’s leaving as well, so a little bit of farewell for him also.

“I’ve got a fairly good relationship with a lot of players at that footy club, and obviously with Dustin having his final game.

“Dyl, obviously, was a fantastic servant as well for the Richmond Football Club so it’ll be nice to see those guys and give ’em a good send-off.

“I think it’s going to be an enormous game nonetheless.”

Richmond, a game and percentage below 17th-placed North Melbourne, are hunting a third win of the season as they fight to avoid their first wooden spoon since 2007.

Asked what he made of the Tigers’ fall from the competition’s top ranks since he quit mid-2023, Hardwick said his focus remains in Carrara.

Number one on the agenda will be to make amends for last week’s comprehensive 54-point loss to Melbourne.

“I’ve got my own issues and problems here that I’m still trying to address,” Hardwick said.

“You look at the opposition you’re playing from a week in, week out basis, so I’ll just concentrate on controlling what I control.

“We need to bounce back after last week, like we were really disappointing.

“We looked flat from the outset and we just couldn’t get our game up and going. 

“Expect a response this week.”

Jack Lukosius and Alex Sexton have been recalled to the side after both enjoyed a five-goal haul in the VFL last week, while Pickett, Baker and Maurice Rioli return for Richmond.

AAP