Versatile Richmond defender Dylan Grimes says his club’s decision to extend coach Damien Hardwick’s contract until 2021 has been a massive boost to the reigning premiers.
The 26-year-old Tiger says the announcement came as a complete surprise to the playing group, with their overjoyed reaction at hearing the news their genuine reaction to hearing that Hardwick would be at the helm for another three seasons.
“It’s great to see him sign on for another few years. The boys are right behind him,” Grimes told SEN Breakfast.
“He’s certainly, I think, one of the most respected guys in the AFL community at the moment.
“The group was over the moon. He’s been part of our journey since day one really. He came in I think nine years ago now and he set a really clear vision and set a really clear plan and together with (Richmond CEO) Brendon Gale have executed that perfectly.
“The group absolutely love him and I wouldn’t imagine there would be a coach more endeared to a group than what Dimma is.”
Like a number of his Tigers teammates, Grimes is coming off a career best season in 2017, with the 104-gamer finishing fifth in the club’s best and fairest and being branded by Hardwick as the premiership side’s most underrated player.
Richmond kick off their flag defence in their yearly season opening blockbuster against Carlton at the MCG tomorrow night, with a crowd of over 90,000 expected.
Liste to Grimes' chat with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson below: