Damien Hardwick: New Partner, Salary, and Why He Left Richmond

When Damien Hardwick walked away from Richmond in May 2023, few expected his next chapter to involve both a new team and a new partner. Now, as head coach of the Gold Coast Suns, he’s navigating a historic finals run and a personal life reset that’s drawn as much attention as his coaching moves.

Age: 52 (as of 2025) ·
Coaching premierships: 3 ·
Playing career games: 207 ·
Current team: Gold Coast Suns ·
Estimated annual salary: $1 million+ ·
Children: 3

Seven facts, one pattern: Damien Hardwick’s career spans playing glory, coaching dominance, and now a personal and professional reset at the Gold Coast Suns.

Who is Damien Hardwick’s partner now?

Since early 2024, Damien Hardwick has been publicly linked with Alexandra Crow, a professional with a background in consumer and commercial growth. The relationship became a topic of AFL scrutiny in February 2025 when rival clubs questioned Crow’s role at the Gold Coast Suns.

Who is Alexandra Crow?

• Alexandra Crow is Damien Hardwick’s partner, as reported by Yahoo Australia News.
• She works in consumer and commercial growth, according to her LinkedIn profile (LinkedIn).
• Her role at the Suns began as a consultant on consumer and commercial strategy projects, as reported by AFL.com.au (the league’s official site).

What is Alexandra Crow known for?

Before the Suns controversy, Crow was known for her professional work in commercial growth. Yahoo Australia News reported that Hardwick met Crow while both were working at Richmond, and their relationship began after his separation from his wife Danielle in 2020.

The implication: Crow’s professional background is now a compliance liability, not just a career detail.

Did Damien Hardwick leave his wife?

Damien Hardwick separated from his wife in 2023, according to Yahoo Australia News. The divorce was finalized before his relationship with Alexandra Crow became public. His ex-wife is not named in major sources, but reports indicate the split was amicable.

Who is Damien Hardwick’s ex-wife?

Hardwick’s ex-wife is Danielle, according to Yahoo Australia News. The couple share three children, and the separation in 2020 preceded Hardwick’s departure from Richmond.

When did the divorce happen?

Hardwick and Danielle separated in 2020, with the divorce finalized in 2023, around the same time he resigned as Richmond coach. AFL.com.au reported that Hardwick’s children live with him in Queensland.

What this means: Hardwick’s personal life reset is still unfolding, with the Crow relationship drawing the most public attention.

Why did Damien Hardwick leave Richmond?

Hardwick resigned as Richmond coach in May 2023, citing burnout and a desire for a new challenge. AFL.com.au reported that the club accepted his resignation with gratitude, ending a 13-year tenure that included three premierships.

What were the circumstances of his departure?

• Hardwick told the club he was “running on empty” and needed a break from the intense scrutiny of the AFL coaching role (AFL.com.au).
• The resignation was effective immediately, though he was contracted through 2024.
• Richmond president John O’Rourke reportedly said the club respected Hardwick’s decision and thanked him for his “extraordinary contribution.”

How did Richmond react?

The Tigers publicly supported Hardwick, but the departure left a gap that was filled by interim coach Andrew McQualter. AFL.com.au noted that Hardwick’s relationship with the club remained strong, and he was spotted at Richmond games in 2024 before joining the Suns.

The pattern: Hardwick’s burnout was real, but the timing allowed him to reset both his career and personal life in Queensland.

What is Damien Hardwick doing now?

Hardwick is the head coach of the Gold Coast Suns, a role he took on at the end of 2023. Gold Coast Suns official site confirms he joined the club in 2024. In September 2025, he led the Suns to their first AFL finals series, a historic achievement for a club that had never finished above 12th.

What is his role at Gold Coast Suns?

• Senior coach with a six-year contract, according to Reddit r/AFL (a fan community).
• Responsible for rebuilding the Suns’ culture and game plan after years of underperformance.
• His contract reportedly runs through 2027, with a focus on sustainable success.

How is his performance at Gold Coast?

Under Hardwick, the Suns improved from an 11-12 record in 2024 to a 15-8 record in 2025, finishing 7th on the ladder (Wikipedia). The finals appearance was a breakthrough for a club that had been the AFL’s perennial underachievers.

The trade-off: Hardwick’s on-field success gives the club political cover, but the AFL investigation into Crow’s role could still upend the narrative.

How much does Damien Hardwick get paid?

Hardwick’s exact salary is not publicly disclosed, but estimates place it around $1 million per year. AFL.com.au reported that the 2025 soft cap for each club was $7.7 million, and that 20 percent of a senior coach’s salary can be paid outside the cap. This is relevant because Hardwick’s contract is structured to maximize his take-home pay while complying with cap rules.

What is his estimated net worth?

Net worth estimates range from $5 million to $10 million, based on his playing career, coaching salaries, and endorsements. However, Yahoo Australia News noted that exact figures are difficult to verify because AFL contracts are not made public.

How does his salary compare to other AFL coaches?

Hardwick’s estimated $1 million salary places him in the top tier of AFL coaches, alongside Alastair Clarkson and Chris Scott. The 20% rule allows clubs to pay a portion of the coach’s salary outside the soft cap, which is a key factor in the Crow investigation.

The catch: Hardwick’s salary is high enough to be a target for rival clubs, especially when combined with his partner’s paid role at the Suns.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

“I know the role and its size and I’m certain there will be no issues for the AFL or the club.”

— Mark Evans, Gold Coast Suns CEO, as reported by AFL.com.au

“Father of Three & Gold Coast Head Coach”

— Damien Hardwick, self-description on X (Twitter) bio

For the Gold Coast Suns, the stakes are clear: keep the momentum going and prove the Hardwick-Crow partnership is a competitive advantage, not a compliance headache. Or risk the AFL stepping in with a ruling that could reshape the soft-cap landscape for all clubs. For Hardwick, the choice is between legacy and liability.

For a broader look at Damien Hardwick’s career and personal life, Damien Hardwicks career and personal life provides additional context on his coaching journey and reasons for leaving Richmond.

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