The problem with the Richmond/Hardwick example is that Hardwick entered 2016 under the pump as a coach, survived, then led the Tigers to the premiership in 2017. This article describes how under the pump he was mid 2016
www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-31/brendon-g...-fire-coach-hardwick
(he even got the CEO 'kiss of death' when Gale pledged his support for the coach).
Hardwick came through a whole-of-club review prior to that and he was clearly under the pump in 2016 with a year to go on his contract, echoes of what is happening now with Freo. I rate Hardwick as a coach; he came up with a game plan that basically derailed the Freo congested play style when we were flying in 2015.