Triple premiership coach Damien Hardwick has today signed a massive six-year deal which will see him locked in as the senior coach of the Gold Coast Suns until the end of 2029.

In May, after 307 games at the helm for Richmond, Hardwick made the shock decision to walk away from the club, despite being contracted until the end of 2024. At the time, Hardwick cited “burnout” as a big reason.

The successful appointment of ‘Dimma’ to the Suns is said to be one of Gold Coast’s biggest coups since it signed Gary Ablett Jr and is considered a significant step for the club.

Hardwick was immediately linked with the club when pressure began to mount on Suns former coach Stuart Dew.

Dew was sacked just last month following a string of poor on-field performances bringing his five-year tenure to an end.

Hardwick is now tasked with the primary goal of taking the club to its first finals series in its history and will get to work at the conclusion of Round 24.

“I firmly believe this is the beginning of an incredible journey with a club and a community that has a burning desire to succeed,” he said.

“I can see the tremendous potential we have in front of us … this is a challenge I am extremely excited to take on.”

Hardwick addressed the media and spoke about this new chapter.

“I’m not the messiah, I’m part of the puzzle that is going to take us where we need to go … 80 per cent of our first premiership team are sitting here now,” he said.

“Football is a business and there is a human element, it’s very cut-throat [and] my time will come … this is nature of the business that we’re in.”

Suns chairman, Bob East, was excited to announce the new appointment of such a highly esteemed coach.

“It is with great excitement that we welcome Damien and his partner Alex to the Gold Coast Suns,” he said.

“Damien was the best candidate available, with premiership experience and the proven elite coaching skillset required for the job.”

Hardwick’s decorated career included 207 games as a player across his time at Essendon and Port Adelaide. This included premierships in 2000 and 2004.

He first joined the coaching team at Hawthorn from 2005-2009 which included the 2008 premiership, before leading Richmond to its dynasty.

PHOTO: Cameron Mooney interviewing Damien Hardwick by Flickerd  is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This photo has not been modified.