Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has conceded he "overstepped the mark" in a verbal barrage directed at Williamstown players during a VFL game last week.
"I understand in my position I've got to be better than that," Hardwick said at a media conference on Thursday.
"I've got to be probably judged to a higher standard, and I understand that. What I will ask is that (people remember) I am human.
"I'm going to make mistakes and there's no doubt that I overstepped the mark."
Hardwick allegedly labelled Williamstown players "weak f***ing pricks", following an on-field incident with AFL-listed player Rhyan Mansell and Seagull Darby Henderson.
The AFL have since confirmed no action will be taken on Hardwick's altercation with Henderson.
“Damien assisted us with our enquiries, and in response he understands his standing in the community as a senior AFL coach and acknowledged if he had his time again he wouldn’t have acted in that manner," a league statement reads.
"No further action will be taken by the AFL."
AFL statement: “Damien assisted us with our enquiries, and in response he understands his standing in the community as a senior AFL coach and acknowledged if he had his time again he wouldn’t have acted in that manner. No further action will be taken by the AFL.”
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) July 28, 2022
Hardwick did not confirm to reporters exactly what he said, but claimed it was a mistake to speak so harshly in the name of supporting his players.
"The reality is I'm very passionate about my players and always have been and always will be," Hardwick said.
"But as I said, I made a mistake, and the reality is I'm going to make mistakes going forward.
"Hopefully not too many, but I'll always defend my players, you guys know that.
"I probably didn't need to lean over the fence and yell but that's me. What makes me good makes me bad."
Hardwick will lead Richmond his 500th AFL match - as a player or coach - against Brisbane on Sunday.
