Ex-Gold Coast Suns head coach Stuart Dew has signed on as a Brisbane Lions assistant coach on a full-time basis.
After departing the Suns in 2023, Dew joined the Lions mid-2024 as a part-time specialist coach and played a key role in the team's premiership victory.
The two-time premiership player will fill the shoes of departing assistant coach Murray Davis who has accepted a role with the Adelaide Crows.
Dew will take on the role of forward coach and says he is thrilled to be at the Lions permanently.
“I am excited to join the Brisbane Lions Football Club,” he said.
“To see the way the club's leaders, staff and players have remained connected and committed to each other throughout the ups and downs of their journey was so impressive and ultimately rewarded with the Premiership Cup.
“I am grateful that Chris Fagan and Danny Daly gave me the opportunity to be involved at the half-way mark of the season and to contribute to September action once again.
“It solidified to me again what it takes to achieve the ultimate success - everyone playing their role and backing each other in.
“I can't wait to play my role for this great football club.”
Dew failed to reach the finals at all during his tenure with the Suns but previously found coaching success with the Sydney Swans as part of their coaching staff during their premiership-winning season in 2012.
Lions general manager of football Danny Daly said that Dew's appointment was a great move for the club and will help to sustain their success moving forward.
“We are delighted to have Stuart joining us in a full-time capacity and are excited by what he can help the rest of our coaching staff achieve moving forward,” he said.
“Stuart has an impressive resume and brings invaluable experience as both a two-time premiership player and a former senior coach himself.
“Having worked with our club already this season, we see it being a seamless transition and he will be able to hit the ground running when preseason starts.
“On behalf of everyone at the Lions we are really looking forward to having Stuart and his family at our club in 2024 and beyond.”
Dew played 206 AFL games across a 12-year career with Port Adelaide and Hawthorn between 1997-2009.