Damien Hardwick is the new coach of the Gold Coast Suns, signing a six-year deal with the Queensland club.

Hardwick, who coached Richmond to three premierships between 2017 and 2020, stepped away from the Tigers earlier this season citing burnout and fatigue.

But after a brief break away from the game, Hardwick has been convinced to return to the coaching game with the Suns.

The Suns had been searching for a new permanent head coach since sacking Stuart Dew in July. Former assistant coach Steven King had taken on the head coach role on an interim basis for the rest of the 2023 season.

Gold Coast confirmed Hardwick’s appointment on Monday morning ahead of a press conference.

In their 13-year history, the Suns have never qualified for an AFL finals series, but Hardwick will have a list stocked with some of the league’s best young talent to work with.

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