"Murmurings" are said to be tying former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick to the Gold Coast Suns coaching role from the end of this year amid reported discussions among "high-level football circles".
Suns coach Stuart Dew, who is contracted with the Queensland club until the end of next year, has been required to squash concerns surrounding his future on the Gold Coast no matter how strong the league's second youngest club is travelling.
This year's side remains right in the hunt to secure its first finals finish in the club's existence, however a blowout loss to Carlton last week again raised plenty of questions over the Suns' September chances.
Gold Coast have struggled in recent seasons to chalk up a competitive record through the back half of the year, recording a total of just seven wins from a possible 21 games after the bye across their last two campaigns.
That record followed a shortened 2020 season where the Suns recorded one win after Round 7, while in 2019 the club failed to secure a victory after Round 5.
The Suns managed six wins prior to their Round 13 bye this year and could manage to break their best season wins tally record of 10, which has been previously reached twice.
A Round 15 clash against Hawthorn presents an opportune chance for Dew's side to get back on the winner's list and strengthen their finals chances.
A victory on Sunday could go a long way for Dew's safety at Carrara, withย 7 News reporter Tom Browne revealing discussions surrounding a potential move to the Gold Coast for Hardwick are "increasing".
Hardwick departed Richmond last month after feeling 'burnt out' from the role he held at Punt Road for 14 years, with the rest of this year to be used as a break from football.
Speaking toย Triple M,ย Browne has reported that Hardwick's chances of landing the Suns job are only likely to increase if the club's form under Stuart Dew fails to see them reach the top eight.
"Murmurings in football are absolutely increasing this week that Damien Hardwick will end up at the Gold Coast," Browne said.
"You can debate me whether that's fair on Stuart Dew all you like, but that's what's being discussed in high-level football circles.
"The Gold Coast were uncompetitive against Carlton last week. They were good in the first 20 minutes and then sort of gave up in the way other Gold Coast sides have done in the past.
"That's what frustrates people because they've got so much talent. So I can't place enough importance on this game against Hawthorn, as far as Stuart Dew is concerned.
"Off the back of COVID, it's fair to say a lot of coaches who like living on the Gold Coast would happily go there, good (coaches).
"It could be an active coaching market at the end of the year. There could be interest in the Suns position if it becomes available, including from Damien Hardwick, but the ball is in Stuart Dew's court and the Suns have to beat Hawthorn."
The Ageย have reported that Hardwick will open discussions with his manager Paul Connors next month after returning from a trip to Europe. It is understood the pair will discuss what the triple premiership coach's aspirations are for the near future.
The Suns job could become one of the most tantalising in the AFL this year given the club's riches of young stars and potential, coupled with the trio of Academy players that are touted as potential first-round draft prospects.
Key forward Jed Walter, ruckman Ethan Read and midfielder Jake Rogers are all seen as chances to land in the top 20 of this year's draft and are all tied to the Suns through their Northern Academy.
Walter is a likely top five selection based on his form so far this year, while both Read and Rogers have impressed for the Suns and the AFL Academy in 2023.
