Richmond defender Nathan Broad was last week a guest on Fox Footy’s On the Couch at the time news broke of Damien Hardwick’s impending exit from Punt Road.
Despite preaching the Tigers’ flag window was still wide open, Broad has now spectacularly admitted he knew of Hardwick’s decision and had to play a “poker face” throughout the interview.
The stunning report broken by SEN’s Tom Morris blindsided the footy community with the three-time premiership coach departing Tigerland mid-season.
EXCLUSIVE | Damien Hardwick has decided to quit Richmond in a bombshell coaching call. @tommorris32 reports | https://t.co/fwztINr786 | #AFL pic.twitter.com/2XfraLKmUI
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) May 22, 2023
Reports indicated only a few senior players knew prior to the news being broken and Broad – who signed a fresh contract on Wednesday – revealed he was one.
“If I didn’t sign this two-year contract deal I was thinking about becoming a professional poker player,” Broad laughed on SEN’s The Run Home.
“I did know, I found out probably 15 minutes before going live on air. I obviously wasn’t going to spill the beans, it wasn’t my job to do that, it was on Dimma’s time.
“So it was a few porky pies…”
BROAD: I did know when I was On The Couch Dimma was leaving. I found about 15 minutes before. If I didn't get the new deal I was considering a career in poker!
— Andy & Gazey (@TheRunHomeSEN) May 31, 2023
But that doesn’t take away from Broad’s surprise, with the 30-year-old having no suspicions prior to the decision.
“Yeah, obviously I was as shocked as everyone else was, I did not see it coming whatsoever,” he explained.
“There was absolutely no indication from Dimma, even with his body language. Dimma, as we know, all the way up to the very last game and the last day (was invested), so hats off to that, putting on a brave face.
“But the way this business is and the way the world works, you’ve got to move on and move on pretty quickly.
“(Andrew) McQualter’s stepped in and he’s been around for a few years now, an absolute legend, really good game knowledge and game sense and the boys have the utmost respect for him too.
“As harsh as it was, we had to move on and get on to Port Adelaide. We weren’t able to get the chocolates, but it’s been a pretty good week, an exciting week and we’re looking forward to what the future holds.”
Hardwick left Richmond despite his side gathering form in the lead-up to the exit. However, speaking at his final press conference, Hardwick admitted he’d become burnt out by the job and was no longer convinced he could commit as the role requires.
The 50-year-old wasn’t at the MCG as Richmond went down narrowly to Port Adelaide on Sunday, instead posting on Twitter a photo of himself enjoying the game from home.
It was an image that captured Hardwick’s essence in his Richmond kit and famous grin, but there was one aspect Broad wasn’t as enthused by.
How long to go?! Carn the Tigs. 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/38MFqSAmz6
— Damien Hardwick (@hardwick_damien) May 28, 2023
“I loved all of it, the only bit I couldn’t have was he and his Stone and Woods, they’re a shocking drink but he loves them!” he laughed.
“It’s good to see him kick back and relax. He’s been an absolute legend for our footy club, the way he brought us back from 2016 and into the granny in 2017, it’s all on the back of him and his leadership and the individual growth he did.
“He owes nothing to us, we owe everything to him. It’s just amazing what he’s done for our footy club and we wish him all the best.”