He represented Victoria 5 times in interstate football and was named on Geelong's interchange bench in their official 'Team of the Century'.
Even better was that he shared the premiership success with his brother Peter, who was also counted among Geelong's best for his duel in the ruck with Albert Collier.
However, just one month later it was revealed that Hardiman would be joining fellow Victorian footballers Haydn Bunton Sr. and Keith Shea in transferring to Subiaco.
Hardiman told The West Australian that he had been advised by a Geelong official that there was every possibility of his securing a clearance if the club were satisfied that he had firmly established himself in Western Australia and had bettered his position in life.
In February 1942, Hardiman, now living in Mount Lawley, enlisted for duty with the Australian Army and served with the 2/11th Infantry Battalion during World War 2.