One of the biggest coups in the Gold Coast Suns’ history will be confirmed on Monday morning, with the legendary Damien Hardwick set to be unveiled as the club’s new coach.
In a watershed moment for the Suns, multiple outlets are reporting Hardwick will be announced as Gold Coast on Monday before fronting the media.
It’s understood the triple premiership coach and dual premiership player has signed a five-year deal with the Suns, who are set to finish in the bottom four this season for the ninth time.
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It comes just three months after Hardwick sensationally quit Richmond with one-and-a-half seasons left on his contract — and just six weeks after the Suns sacked Stuart Dew with one-and-a-half seasons left on his contract.
Hardwick recently spent several weeks holidaying in Europe, but received a visit from Suns chief executive Mark Evans while in Italy in a bid to land the former’s signature.
The 51-year-old was at the MCG on Saturday to help farewell retiring Richmond legends Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt, but was spotted at Melbourne airport on Sunday night.
Suns interim coach Steven King, who’s made a strong impression in his six games in charge since taking over from Dew, is set to stay on as an assistant coach.
The Suns have yet to play finals since entering the AFL in 2011, with their best result a 10-win season under Dew last year. They have the chance to equal that mark on Satuday against 18th-placed North Melbourne.
Hardwick, who famously led Richmond to the 2017, 2019 and 2020 premierships and coached the club to 307 games 13-and-a-half seasons, will become the fourth full-time coach in Gold Coast’s history, with none of Guy McKenna, Rodney Eade or Dew able to lead the club to September action.
But he’ll take over one of the most exciting and talented lists in the competition, which will be boosted by at least three star Suns academy graduates — key forward Jed Walter, ruck Ethan Read and midfielder Jake Rogers — via the national draft.
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Dual premiership Kangaroo David King on Sunday night declared the Suns “will win a flag in his (Hardwick’s) first four years” in charge.
Hardwick’s arrival could turn the Suns into a “destination club”, according to King, who urged the side to pursue “one or two marquee free agents over the next 12 to 18 months” to finish off the build.
Dustin Martin’s signature remains a topic of much discussion given his close ties to Hardwick and the departures of Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt from Richmond.
“When the system matches the list it is going to be showtime at the Gold Coast,” King told First Crack.
“You take whatever you can really. Of course you take Dusty, he would be the face of the franchise.
“It’s going to be impossible to go to Heritage Bank Stadium in the next couple of years and leave with the four points.”
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