Let’s cut to the chase, Richmond need to win a finals match, and until they do then a contract extension for Damien Hardwick is not warranted.
Richmond have certainly improved but a new contract seems to be a case of rewarding mediocrity, as mediocre is something Richmond have been for a long time.
The recent media interviews with Richmond president Peggy O’Neill seem to suggest the contract extension is on the table now and won’t be put on hold until the end of the season.
When Richmond appointed Hardwick it was done on sound reasoning, although any coach following Terry Wallace was going to look like a sound decision.
As a player Hardwick had tasted grand final success at both Essendon and Port Adelaide, and as an assistant coach Hardwick was involved in the Hawthorn 2008 premiership.
Coming from various successful environments and being involved in the rebuild at Hawthorn from a struggling team to finals participant was something that made Hardwick an attractive proposition for Richmond.
When Hardwick took over, Richmond had finished second bottom at the end of season 2009. Gradually the team began to improve and after six wins in 2010 they went on to win eight games in 2011 and 10 games in 2012. In 2013 they collected 13 wins and qualified for their first finals appearance since 2001.
In the past two seasons, Richmond has again qualified for finals football. With 15 wins in 2015 Richmond were not far away from a top-four finish. But despite all the positives the harsh reality is that Hardwick has zero finals wins from three attempts.
Should a coach who has not won a finals game in six years be looking at a contract extension?
Despite the improvement it is difficult to forget Richmond’s elimination final mauling at the hands of Port Adelaide in 2014, and losing to ninth-placed Carlton in 2013. The elimination final loss to North Melbourne this season was also the second finals loss under Hardwick in which Richmond entered the game as the higher ranked team.
Some football commentators believe a contract extension now will provide stability. It will give Richmond the best chance of success without disruptions around Hardwick’s coaching future.
A professional club should be able to perform regardless and if Richmond win a final in 2016 then the discussion for a contract extension can take place.
It is all well and good providing stability, but 1980 is the last time Richmond won a premiership and the 2001 semi-final against Carlton the last time Richmond had a finals win.
A contract extension now won’t show stability, it will show mediocrity is indeed alive and well at Tigerland.
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