‘You’ve done me in with that’: Damien Hardwick Issues Apology for ‘Finger Salute’ Following Umpire’s Missed Call

Gold Coast Suns mentor Damien Hardwick discovered that nothing is overlooked during an AFL match, particularly from the coaches’ box.

In the dying moments of his team’s recent defeat to GWS, Hardwick’s frustration boiled over due to a controversial non-call that deprived his side of a potential opportunity to snatch an unexpected victory.

The coach couldn’t help but chuckle sarcastically at the umpire’s hesitance to sound the whistle, before defiantly raising his middle finger from the confines of the coaches’ box, an act that thankfully went untelevised.

However, footage of Hardwick’s gesture was captured by Fox Sports’ AFL 360, and he learned of it during his guest appearance on the programme on Monday night.

While discussing the controversial decision involving GWS’ Jake Stringer, who kicked the ball out of bounds—an action Hardwick viewed as a deliberate tactic to allow his team time to regroup—he expressed his disbelief.

“I have a lot of respect for Nathan Williamson, the umpire who made that call, but when I thought, ‘Oh great, we could have one last go at it,’ only to hear him signal for a boundary throw-in, I was like, ‘What?! What?!’” he recounted.

He was then shown footage of his own reaction in the coaches’ box, with his middle finger prominently displayed, realising he was being set up for a laugh.

“Anyway, I hope you blokes aren’t—oh no, you have! You’ve really got me with that one,” he jested.

“Honestly, it should’ve been a case of insufficient intent; we all know that. But at the end of the day, the match was practically over, so we’ll move on swiftly.

“Though, that finger might land me in a bit of hot water.”

After his TV appearance, Hardwick took to social media to express his apologies to AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, making a light-hearted effort to avoid any repercussions.

Earlier this season, both West Coast Eagles midfielder Harley Reid and Geelong’s Bailey Smith were fined $1000 for similar middle-finger gestures.