Bulldogs sack club great for criticising Rhode

The Western Bulldogs have sacked former club champion and Brownlow medallist Brad Hardie, after he criticised coach Peter Rohde for being too soft on his players.

Hardie has lost his role as a player development officer at Whitten Oval, after he said Rohde was ‘struggling’ and that he needed to be tougher on younger players.

Bulldogs football manager Stephen Newport said Rohde had confronted Hardie about the comments this morning.

“Following on from Brad’s comments and the media coverage of it, it’s going to be very difficult for Brad to work with the younger players, with Peter and with the coaching staff,” Mr Newport said.