Stuart Dew

Former Suns coach’s AFL return, role confirmed

“He’s keen to get back into coaching.”

Published by
Mitch Keating

Brisbane have confirmed former Gold Coast senior coach Stuart Dew has joined the club in a small role less than a year on from his Suns departure.

Dew and Gold Coast parted ways last July after five and a half seasons together, with the Hawthorn and Port Adelaide premiership player taking time away from the game since.

Still living in Queensland, the 44-year-old reached out to the Lions and coach Chris Fagan, with the pair previously sharing time with the Hawks during Dew's playing days.

Fagan confirmed on Thursday that Dew has linked up with Brisbane in a small role that will see the former Suns coach and ex-Sydney assistant help the club once a week.

Dew's role will focus on the development of the Lions' emerging ranks, with the 206-gamer bringing a wealth of experience to Fagan's fleet.

"He is going to come and do a little bit of work with us one day a week in the skill acquisition area with our players," Fagan said.

"He reached out a few weeks ago, he's keen to get back into coaching and we think he could help our younger players with their skill development and knowledge. We'll bring him in starting next week.

"He reached out to me and we had a good chat. I know 'Dewy' from our Hawthorn days, I've known him for a long time.

"He's a highly credentialed coach, he was an assistant coach at the Swans through a really successful period. He did a good job at the Suns.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 15: Lions coach Chris Fagan and Suns coach Stuart Dew pose for a photograph for Queensland drought appeal during a Gold Coast Suns-Brisbane Lions joint AFL media conference ahead of QCLASH 16 at Metricon Stadium on August 15, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

"It's good to have a person like him back involved, albeit a little bit, in football."

Dew amassed a record of 36-1-84 during his time at the helm of the Suns, which started in 2018.

He was sacked by Gold Coast midway through last season, with Richmond premiership coach Damien Hardwick appointed as his successor by late August.

Dew's return to the AFL ranks will add further heat to the QClash, with the second edition of the rivalry to come in Round 20 when the Suns host the Lions on July 27.

Published by
Mitch Keating