AFL: Who will replace Damien Hardwick as Richmond coach?

May 23, 2023 4:20 pm.by Michael Maguire

Damien Hardwick Richmond AFL news — Damien Hardwick has left Richmond after a decorated coaching career, but who will replace him? (Picture: AFL Photos)

With Damien Hardwick announcing his shock departure from Richmond on Tuesday, the top AFL betting sites have installed Justin Leppitsch as a $4.50 favourite to become the next fulltime coach at Tigerland.

Currently serving as an assistant to Craig McRae at Collingwood, Leppitsch was part of the Richmond Tigers coaching staff for their three premiership wins between 2017 and 2020.

He also boasts senior coaching experience from his time in charge of the Brisbane Lions between 2013 and 2016, having won a hat-trick of flags with the club as a player.

Andrew McQualter is a $7 shout with online bookmakers after he was named as Richmond’s interim coach, while former senior coaches Don Pyke and David Teague share the third line of betting with experienced assistant Adem Yze at $8.

Ben Rutten ($11) — now back on the Tigers staff following his sacking by Essendon towards the end of the 2022 season — is another prominent name in the market.

Two of the more intriguing options are Nathan Buckley ($15) and Leon Cameron ($21), both of whom have taken teams to an AFL Grand Final.

Next Richmond AFL coach betting odds

Justin Leppitsch	+350	Best odds @ Neds
Andrew McQualter	+600	Best odds @ Neds
Don Pyke	+700	Best odds @ Neds
David Teague	+700	Best odds @ Neds
Adem Yze	+700	Best odds @ Neds
Blake Caracella	+1000	Best odds @ Neds
Chris Newman	+1000	Best odds @ Neds
Ben Rutten	+1000	Best odds @ Neds
Ashley Hansen	+1200	Best odds @ Neds
Nathan Buckley	+1400	Best odds @ Neds
Daniel Giansiracusa	+1400	Best odds @ Neds
Shaun Grigg	+1400	Best odds @ Neds
Robert Harvey	+1400	Best odds @ Neds
Matthew Knights	+1400	Best odds @ Neds
Mark McVeigh	+1400	Best odds @ Neds
Leon Cameron	+2000	Best odds @ Neds