How Damien Hardwick’s departure from Richmond plays out will be enthralling.
After three premierships at the club, SEN’s Tom Morris broke the news that Hardwick is set to quit the club.
Hardwick confirmed the news on Tuesday when he resigned from the job.
But the master coach’s call comes less than a year after he convinced high-profile recruits Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper to come to Punt Road on lucrative long-term contracts.
Sam Edmund believes there could be conflicting emotions for the two stars.
“You’d imagine there are some really difficult conversations that he’s had, going to have or having now… not only the senior players, but the players he’s brought in and sold the vision to, Hopper, Taranto and these guys,” Edmund said of talking to the recent recruits on SEN's Sportsday.
“That would be an awkward conversation.”
Meanwhile, Morris questioned the impact this will have on superstar Dustin Martin.
A player who will go down as an all-time great, Martin has had Hardwick as his biggest supporter and defender who publicly backed in the three-time Norm Smith Medallist when he took leave last year.
“Damien Hardwick and Dustin Matin are indelibly linked,” Morris added.
“I’m not sure that Dustin Martin would have signed on long-term if Damien Hardwick wasn’t such a big supporter of him.
“Dustin Martin is out of contract at the end of next year and it remains to be see what will happen beyond that to his hunger and desire to play at the top level.
“He’s achieved everything there is to achieve.”
Hardwick was appointed in Martin's first year at Punt Road and the duo have shared all the highs and lows footy has to offer.