Richmond CEO Brendon Gale has confirmed Tigers coach Damien Hardwick will remain the club's coach beyond the 2018 season, despite not having a contract beyond this year.
Hardwick will enter his ninth season as Richmond coach this year, and after having a major hand in the Tigers' 37-year premiership drought, looks certain to extend his tenure into double-digit years.
“This is his last year, we want him to coach beyond 2018,” Gale said on SEN Afternoons.
“What that looks like? We’re working through. When we resolve that? We don’t have a timeframe.
“But now, our belief has been validated. It’s very hard to win premierships at Richmond.
“It’s a very tough environment to manage and coach so our confidence in him has been vindicated, and I think he just keeps growing.
“Having experienced 2016 has made Damien a much more accomplished coach, and (he has) so much more self-knowledge.”
After failing to win a final in his first seven seasons at the club, Hardwick was the mastermind behind Richmond's three consecutive September victories en route to their grand final success.
The Tigers will kick off their premiership defence on March 22 against Carlton at the MCG.
