Damien Hardwick won’t reveal if he’s set to become the Gold Coast Suns’ next coach, but says he’s looking forward to a “possible new challenge”.
Hardwick this week returned from an overseas holiday spanning multiple months and was seen on 7 News meeting at the offices of manager Paul Connors this morning.
The three-time Richmond premiership coach met with the Suns while in Italy and every indication is he’s about to put pen to paper on a five-year deal to coach the expansion club.
But Hardwick stopped short of confirming the rumours.
Damien Hardwick is back in Melbourne, preparing to take his next step in the AFL with the Gold Coast. In an exclusive interview, Hardwick says he's ready to coach again, and tonight 7NEWS can reveal a premiership hero could be set to follow. @cleary_mitch @7AFL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/ABAUXGoMxq
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) August 18, 2023
“Look, it’s good to be back,” Hardwick told 7 News.
“Yeah, absolutely (I’m refreshed and ready to coach again). I’m looking forward to a possible new challenge.
“I’ve got some things to work through and we’ll make a decision pretty soon.”
He added: “When I know, you’ll know.”
Meanwhile, 7 News’ Mitch Cleary also dropped the bombshell that superstar and Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin is “more open to than ever” a trade to the Gold Coast to potentially join Hardwick. The former Tigers coach refused to comment.
Martin has played 287 games for the Tigers since debuting in 2010, which was also Hardwick’s first season at the helm of Richmond.
Several reports before Hardwick’s mooted move had suggested similar about Martin. The 32-year-old is contracted until the end of 2024 at Punt Road.