Hardwick has not missed a match since Round 19, 2021, and brought up 100 consecutive appearances in Hawthorn's semi-final win over Adelaide. Drafted at pick 44 in 2015, the 183cm defender is routinely handed the opposition's most dangerous small forward, and twice finished runner-up in the Peter Crimmins Medal, in 2018 and 2021. He has played 222 AFL games and kicked 41 goals.