Damien Hardwick’s decision to quit Richmond will be met in many different ways by Tigers supporters.
Some will see it as a good move, that Hardwick has no more to offer the club that he helmed back to relevance and back onto the podium on no less than three occasions.
Others will view it as a disaster, that the grass is not greener, that ‘Dimma’ still has plenty to give and has the coaching ability to take this group forward.
Some, the more cynical among us, could even suggest it’s a cop out to move on from an injury-depleted list that is still playing good footy at times, albeit it in fits and spurts.
When someone of this standing leaves a club after such a long association, it can be likened to losing a loved one.
Of course, it’s not that extreme.
But it is a decision that will break the hearts of many, there’s little doubt about that.
For Hardwick has given the Richmond Football Club everything since walking through the doors at Punt Road Oval in late 2009.
It is a choice that should not be met with anger though. If Hardwick is burnt out and feels it the right time to shut up shop, then that must be respected.
Nobody truly knows the inner rumblings of a man, especially after more than 13 years in a high-pressure job.
If the motivation and love for the role has evaporated over time, then you can’t really blame him. That’s a natural human occurrence.
While it took some time, he finally got the once-powerful and famous club back to the heights they dreamt of for so long. He was able to overturn one of the longest barren runs in the game and awaken a sleeping giant in the process.
He was able to craft and conjure a game style that many sides in recent times have attempted to emulate. Some have even succeeded and enjoyed the fruits of that labour.
He has helped make memories that will last forever for thousands and thousands in the Tiger Army and the rest of the yellow and black family.
The 2017, 2019 and 2020 premierships already live in infamy, in no small part thanks to Dimma.
There have been some extraordinarily famous names of both coaches and players involved with Richmond over the years - Jack Dyer, Tom Hafey, Kevin Bartlett, Francis Bourke, Royce Hart, Jack Titus and Matthew Richardson to name just a few.
Only Hafey betters him with four Tigers flags.
Hardwick now undoubtedly sits alongside them.
Not far behind him are those that played with so much desire for him - the Trent Cotchins, Dustin Martins and Jack Riewoldts of this world.
He won 170 of 307 games, including 10 of 16 finals, and had a perfect record with three from three Grand Final victories.
His was one of the most successful eras of the modern game.
The name Damien Hardwick will forever be synonymous with Richmond and he walks away one of the greatest coaches in the club’s esteemed history and one of the greats of the game.
It might be difficult for some, but it’s important to embrace Dimma’s decision, just as he did with his teams’s imperfections.
It’s time to simply celebrate his achievements, even if there will be no last hurrah.