Is Hardwick serious? Because if what he says is right, his club is not

July 12, 2026 — 6:38pm

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

Fremantle have been a class above the rest of the competition.

Their epic win over Sydney was a confidence-building ratings winner and virtually guaranteed them a top-two spot.

There is no doubt the Dockers’ list is poised to contend.

Advertisement

But there is a reason nine other teams, regardless of their form, realistically think they are capable of winning the 2026 flag.

The Dockers’ only injury is Hayden Young. Their depth has not yet been tested. They have won one final since 2015 – an elimination final.

The Brisbane Lions are the team with the best credentials in the peloton and are starting to strike form, but Adelaide and St Kilda are the only two teams filling the next 10 spots on the ladder who have not played in at least a preliminary final since 2021.

That’s why Collingwood – who have played in three preliminary finals in the past four years and pushed the Dockers to six points in Gather Round – were not prepared to give up on the season when they slumped to 13th before their bye.

Advertisement

The Magpies, who have played nine matches decided by 10 points or fewer this season for four wins, a draw and four losses, know they are scrappers.

Although their consecutive wins against North Melbourne (13th), Gold Coast (14th), Port Adelaide (15th) and Richmond (17th) gives them a form line as convincing as a statement from FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, they believe their best is good enough to beat any opposition.

The Giants have the same self-belief – and with good reason – even though they are 11th. They have beaten the Dockers, Lions, Cats, Hawthorn and Melbourne.

Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs both have four wins over top-eight teams, so they are in the hunt.

Advertisement

And don’t worry – Hawthorn, Sydney, Adelaide and even Geelong think they are a fighter’s chance to do damage in September and are scrapping every step of the way.

Only one team has given up. Gold Coast.

The sun should not go down on their season early, but their triple-premiership coach Damien Hardwick wanted to bring the blinds down.

He was so flattened by his team’s capitulation against the Crows he said their season was “effectively gone” and given the way they are playing they “don’t deserve to play finals”. The David Soul record Don’t Give Up On Us Baby might need a spin on the coast.

Advertisement

Hardwick took responsibility, conceding he had failed to get the Suns’ best players playing well.

It’s an interesting observation because everyone is wondering why that is the case. Why is the midfield playing like an unhappy bunch of frustrated footballers this season, when there was so much optimism after opening round?

Hardwick’s comments may have been an attempt at reverse psychology because no one wants the Suns to reinforce the notion they are a club that quits.

All clubs review, but after three years under Hardwick, Gold Coast appear back to where they were when he took over. Answers are needed.

Advertisement

Stranded Saint will be crucial at the Cattery

St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall was upset when the Saints shut the door they had opened and said no to a trade to Geelong.

It was an about-face that tested the contracted Marshall. Not only did he have to swallow his disappointment, but also be a good teammate to free agent Tom De Koning, who was arriving on big money to, if not take Marshall’s spot, then take away the role he was best suited for.

In an indication of his character, Marshall only showed his Luna Park grin in public and went to work to make the best of the situation rather than screaming I’m Stranded like a Brisbane punk.

Advertisement

He has succeeded and become essential since the recruit’s injury. In De Koning’s absence, Marshall has averaged 24.5 disposals a game and kicked three of his nine goals for the season, playing above his contract.

On Thursday night the Saints’ negative call in October will come to life when he heads down the highway as the sole ruckman to take on the battling Cats on Thursday night under lights after a best-on-ground performance against Port Adelaide.

Mitch Edwards, the Cats’ promising young ruck, will return after being freshened up for the most important job in his short career as Geelong’s finals berth now hangs in the balance.

Sam De Koning, Shannon Neale and an out-of-form Mark Blicavs have battled hard in the ruck but their efforts haven’t stopped the Cats hollering for a Marshall lately.

Advertisement

Geelong have played reasonably well but still lost five of their past six. The tough fixture they were handed is having an impact, with narrow losses to Carlton, Fremantle, Adelaide, the Brisbane Lions and the Giants.

No one will cry any tears for the Cats, but they played poorly against a different-looking Blues under Josh Fraser and on Saturday copped the good Giants with a combination of injuries and poor decisions allowing their opposition back into the game.

By contrast, Collingwood, with an equally tough draw, have found momentum via wins against Richmond, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and North Melbourne since the bye.

Sometimes it’s not who you get, but when you get them.

Advertisement

The concern for the Cats is not the AC joint injury to Jeremy Cameron (no disrespect, but it might be a blessing in disguise for everyone to send the sore champion off for a break); it’s that in their past three matches they haven’t been able to stop opposition momentum.

They have conceded 30 goals in four quarters and 15 in the other eight against the Dockers, Lions and Giants. Their pressure post-clearance is not where it needs to be; too many opposition clearances are leading to scores.

Whereas the Cats used to be able to revert to their brilliance in the contest when the opposition came at them, the new generation is struggling to tighten the screws in the same way.

And they are often squandering chances when they dominate the inside-50s with below-par connection forward of the football.

Advertisement

The absence of Tyson Stengle, who is long odds to return this season, and Gryan Miers and Brad Close, who both played VFL on Saturday, has been telling. They have eight goals from that trio this season compared to 67 last year.

The Saints are in the top 10, but have not beaten a team above them in 2026, while the Cats have won just one more match but have beaten five of the teams above them.

It seemed like a mismatch a month ago. It feels like anything but now, and the Saints should be thanking Marshall for that.

Advertisement

The King and the heir apparent

Watching Marcus Bontempelli’s battle with Harley Reid on Sunday was like watching a wildlife documentary where a snappy young Lion annoys and delights a senior member of the pride in equal measure as they go about their business.

Bontempelli kicked two game-shaping goals in the third quarter when his team needed them, while Reid put the Eagles back in front with a magnificent snap at the start of the last quarter. Reid ran down Bontempelli. Bontempelli trapped Reid when he attempted a don’t argue. Bontempelli put the upstart in his place at times and Reid took no offence.

They were each the highest-rated player for their team. Reid, at just 21, had a game-high 16 contested possessions and eight score involvements.

Advertisement

Advertisement

With more than 500 games’ experience and 12 grand finals, he can be forgiven for the howler. It’s a mistake, rather than the catalyst for a royal commission.

Everyone is sick of talking about officiating – but the issues can’t be ignored.

There have been too many rules changed on the run by a reactive administration this season.

Advertisement

The stand rule, the taunting rule, the lasso rule and the ARC have all been re-interpreted by head office mid-season and the umpires on the shop floor are the ones who have to deal with the fallout – and confusion – that has occurred since.

It’s not fair on those officiating. No wonder an umpire as experienced and good as Stevic is doing one thing and thinking another.

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

More:

AFL 2026

For subscribers

Gold Coast Suns

Geelong Cats

Western Bulldogs

West Coast Eagles

Peter Ryan is a sports reporter with The Age.Connect via X or email.

Click here to read article