IMPERIALS co-coach Brad Hards admits he isn’t sure if he will return to the football field in 2022.
The 35-year-old confirmed he won’t coach again next year but is still deciding whether or not to play due to family and work commitments.
With about 270 games for his boyhood club under his belt, Hards said he hasn’t made a decision on his playing future following the cancellation of the COVID-interrupted 2021 season.
“I’m not even sure if I’ll be playing on next season, but I know I definitely won’t be coaching,” he said.
“My body still feels like I could play but there’s a number of other commitments coming up now which is making it harder to find the time.”
With the cancellation announcement last week and restrictions still in place across the region, Hards said the playing group, who finished as minor premiers with a 9-1 record, had yet to discuss the entire season.
“We haven’t had too much of a chance to actually get together and dissect everything,” he said.
“I’m not sure what will happen but obviously you try to keep players motivated as much as possible heading into the next year.
“We were rapt with the lads, we couldn’t have asked for too much more from them. Their attitude was really good across such a tough season and obviously we would have liked it to finish in a better way, but it wasn’t to be.”
