Who’s in the mix to be Richmond’s next coach?Jon Ralph
HeraldSun
May 24, 2023 Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale says search for the “next Damien Hardwick” should attract an elite band of candidates as the Tigers spend the next four months in an extensive coaching search.
Gale made clear the era of Richmond success was not over on Tuesday despite the club farewelling their most successful modern coach.
The candidates will likely include Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley, former Richmond assistant Justin Leppitsch and assistant coaches including Don Pyke, Adem Yze, Daniel Giansiracusa and interim coach Andrew McQualter.
The Tigers will now work on establishing a process for a potential panel to hire their next coach and have the jump start on any other clubs which might move on their coach.
Gale made clear the Tigers were an “attractive proposition” as a stable club with a list in finals contention at a Punt Rd facility that will soon be upgraded again.
“This has all happened pretty quickly, so we will work through that and redefine the attributes to be the Richmond coach for the next 10 years. The game is evolving. We want to find the next Damien Hardwick,” Gale said.
“We think we are a pretty attractive proposition. We are a strong club with a strong culture. We are pretty confident that we have got an environment where a coach would thrive.
“Because of the selfless decision, it gives us the opportunity to get ahead of that.”
LIKELY TARGETSKEN HINKLEYPort Adelaide has been steadfast in its commitment to not talk about a new deal for Ken Hinkley until August, but the Power mentor is arguably coaching better than ever in his 11th season. In the space of the past seven weeks, he has gone from a likely casualty to in-demand coaching option. Hinkley is so deeply connected to his Port Adelaide players that it would be hard to see him prised out of Alberton. The Tigers will almost certainly ask the question if he is interested, and the prospect of a four or five-year deal might be the coaching security he needs, if the Power doesn’t give him a medium to long-term commitment.
ADAM SIMPSONArguably the most under-pressure coach in the competition right now and heading for a wooden spoon after a disastrous last three seasons. But he is a premiership coach – he won the flag that Richmond thought was theirs in 2018 – so maybe a fresh challenge in a new environment might be the best thing for him and the Eagles. He is contracted until the end of 2024, but as we have seen so frequently in the past few years, a contract is often not worth the paper it is written on.
NATHAN BUCKLEYThe former Magpie coach has consistently said coaching is not in his short-to-medium plans. He reiterated that on Tuesday, by saying his life balance has been so much better since stepping out of the coaches’ box. But the Tigers could ask him if he wanted to be a part of the process. He took the Magpies to within a kick of a premiership in 2018, as well as three preliminary finals. Will he be better as a second-time coach? Definitely. And does that hunger to finally taste premiership success still course through his veins? Maybe this could be a year or two too early for Bucks.
DON PYKETook Adelaide to the 2017 grand final only to be denied by Hardwick and the relentless Tigers. Departed the Crows after being burnt out by the club’s ladder fall as well as the after-effects of the club’s controversial pre-season camp, but played a big role at Sydney as an assistant to John Longmire to take the Swans to last year’s grand final. Considered a very sound tactician, he has been reluctant to put himself into the frame for a senior coaching role. But could the opening at Richmond change all that?
JUSTIN LEPPITSCHThe former Brisbane senior coach and now Magpies assistant had two separate stints at Punt Rd under Hardwick, and knows the place well. Was thought to have lost his chance after the Lions’ coaching role ended badly, but he has consistently worked hard to rebuild his own coaching brand. Was a crucial part of the Tigers’ coaching staff in three flags in four seasons, and has only enhanced that as a highly-rated assistant under Craig McRae at Collingwood.
THE WILDCARDJOHN LONGMIREThis could be 100-1 given Longmire is contracted until the end of 2025 and seems wholly invested in the Swans’ program. But he has been in the main chair there since 2011 – almost as long as Hardwick was at Richmond – and the Tigers would be derelict in not making the call to him. The answer would almost certainly be no, but it’s worth the price of a call. Chris Scott seems similarly entrenched at Geelong and is himself contracted until the end of 2024.
OTHERS WHO COULD BE IN THE MIXADEM YZEHighly-rated assistant coach who came so close to winning the GWS role before Adam Kingsley knocked him off in the last interview. Was also in the mix at Essendon before Brad Scott won the job. Has had a strong coaching apprenticeship and is currently doing good things with Melbourne as the Demons look to chase a second flag in three years.
LEON CAMERONSpent the second half of his playing career with Richmond after starting with the Bulldogs, so he knows the Tigers’ environment. He took the Giants to a grand final and three preliminary finals but his tenure ended there last year. Chose not to chase the Essendon job, instead taking on a role with Sydney’s academy, preferring to stay in the Harbour City with his family.
ANDREW McQUALTERJeff Gieschen famously won the Tigers job after impressing as caretaker coach 26 years ago when the fans urged the board to “Unleash the Giesch”. Could McQualter attract similar momentum in the second half of the season? It seems unlikely. But there is no doubt McQualter has a strong resume and has been Hardwick’s loyal assistant for 10 seasons.
ASH HANSENHighly-rated assistant coach who joined Carlton this year as senior lieutenant to Michael Voss as well as forward line coach after a successful stint at the Bulldogs. Long considered a senior coach in waiting and will get his chance at some stage.
BLAKE CARACELLAConsidered one of most respected assistant coaches after successful stints at Collingwood, Geelong and Richmond before joining his old side Essendon. Helped the Tigers win two flags in 2017 and 2019, but has seemingly always shown a reluctance to go chase a main gig.
JAYMIE GRAHAMAnother who has been in the mix of coaching processes in recent years including at Collingwood when the Magpies appointed McRae. Stood in as caretaker for Justin Longmire for two games when the Dockers coach was in COVID-protocols.
DANIEL GIANSIRACUSARegarded as an AFL senior coach-in-waiting after building a strong resume as an assistant coach. Highly-regarded coach who has played a role in Essendon’s revival in 2023.
ROBERT HARVEYHas returned to St Kilda and looks embedded back at Moorabbin under Ross Lyon after spending a decade at Collingwood and a recent stint at Hawthorn.
JOSH CARRInsiders say his return to Port Adelaide alongside Ken Hinkley has played a part in the Power’s 2023 resurgence. Has developed a good assistant coaching profile across more than a decade.
https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/damien-hardwick-quits-whos-in-the-mix-to-be-richmonds-next-coach/news-story/e31928be0145d72941d2c7e07e5e6a85
