Richmond coach Damien Hardwick beats out Adelaide coach Don Pyke for AFLCA Senior Coach of the Year awardMax Laughton
September 27, 2017
FOX SPORTSThey’d take it on Saturday. For now, they’ll have to enjoy it on Tuesday.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has narrowly beaten Adelaide coach Don Pyke to be named AFLCA Senior Coach of the Year in the marquee crown at the AFL Coaches Association Awards.
Hardwick (294 votes) pipped Pyke (283) for the award just 12 months after an internal club review saw his position as senior coach under major threat.
But the Tigers have gone from 13th to a Grand Final — the biggest jump since Melbourne went from 14th to a Grand Final in 1999 and 2000 — with the work of Hardwick, and his revamped group of assistants, seen as the best of the year.
Hardwick told Fox Footy he was “incredibly humbled” to claim the award.
“I thought I was pretty stiff last year,” he joked on AFL 360.
“If I was honest with myself, I didn’t have a great year last year. I really reflected heavily on that, took some steps and moved forward.
“It’s like when you’re teaching your kids to drive. Sometimes you’ve got to take your hands off the wheel.”
Sydney’s John Longmire (72 votes) finished third after getting the Swans out of an 0-6 hole to a semi-final, while Essendon’s John Worsfold (34) and GWS’ Leon Cameron (31) rounded out the top five.
“Damien has really shown his mettle this season,” AFLCA CEO Mark Brayshaw said.
“He was tested, and questions were asked about him after last year, but he remained steadfast. He’s come back and — through hard work and perseverance — has been instrumental to the Tigers’ revival.
“Throughout his playing career Damien was known for his grit and toughness, and I think we’ve seen those same qualities shine through this year.”
Luke Beveridge won the award in both 2016 and 2015, while John Longmire has also won twice (in 2014 and 2012). Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has never won the award.
In a sign of Sydney’s strong assistant coaching crew, Rhyce Shaw was named the Assistant Coach of the Year, a year after colleague Stuart Dew took the crown.
Richmond pair Craig McRae and Ben Rutten finished second and fourth with Dew third.
2017 MONJON ALLEN JEANS SENIOR COACH OF THE YEAR VOTING1. Damien Hardwick — Richmond (294 votes)
2. Don Pyke — Adelaide Crows (283)
3. John Longmire — Sydney Swans (72)
4. John Worsfold — Essendon (34)
5. Leon Cameron — GWS Giants (31)
2017 ATLANTIC GROUP ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR VOTING1. Rhyce Shaw — Sydney Swans
2. Craig McRae — Richmond
3. Stuart Dew — Sydney Swans
4. Ben Rutten — Richmond
5. Nigel Lappin — Geelong Cats
https://www.stuff-beats-out-adelaide-coach-don-pyke-for-aflca-senior-coach-of-the-year-award/news-story/64a920457774dc29f83ebc3d6e963edd
