Springvale/North Melbourne U19's
VFA/VFL
Springvale (1992)
AFL
Essendon (1993-2001)
Port Adelaide (2002-2004)
Damien Patrick Hardwick (born 18 August 1972) is the senior coach of the Richmond Football Club and a former player with the Essendon Football Club and Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Early life[]
He attended St Joseph's College in Ferntree Gully.
Hardwick was a key player in the school's football side, which was highly competitive against other private schools in the EIS sports program.
In football, Hardwick was usually on the field for most of the game and known to be a tough, hard working, and versatile player who kept stability in play for his side.
Although he was often outclassed by others on field, his all round abilities were vital to the side.
AFL playing career[]
Beginning his AFL career with the Essendon Football Club in 1994, Hardwick was known as a tough, solid defender. His aggressive nature sometimes got him into trouble at the AFL Tribunal. He was a crucial part of Essendon's 2000 premiership side.
He was traded from Essendon to the Port Adelaide Football Club and played with the side until his retirement in 2004.
He was part of Port's premiership win in 2004. In the Grand Final he won three free kicks at crucial times, including a reversal against Jason Akermanis which cost the Brisbane Lions a shot at goal.