Gold Coast Suns senior coach Stuart Dew has stated he isn't currently concerned with ladder fluctuation and positioning following his side's victory over Hawthorn at Heritage Bank Stadium on Sunday evening, while he also previewed a ladder-shaping Round 16 matchup with the in-form Collingwood.
Dew's Suns are flirting with the prospect of playing in their maiden finals campaign, promisingly sitting tied-eighth for points heading into next weekend's action.
However, addressing the media post-game on Sunday night, Dew fended off any notion that he's concerned about ladder positioning, instead affirming he's solely focussed on Gold Coast's next opponent.
"No, I try not to (worry about the ladder), particularly over the last four weeks (because of the fluctuation due to the bye rounds), I try not to pay too much attention to the ladder and [instead] worry about our next opponent," Dew said after his team's percentage-boosting win over the Hawks.
"We've just got to keep fronting up, we were really pleased to get back to Heritage Bank Stadium and put on a good show for our fans that have obviously waited a while (to see team success), it was a good crowd that turned up and [we're] really excited by next week (against the Magpies), we think big numbers will come for that and the atmosphere will be great, so [we're] definitely keeping our eyes pretty low for [our] next opponent, obviously the biggest challenge of all, Collingwood."
Quizzed about the tantalising prospect of testing themselves against one of the form sides of the competition, the Pies, Dew agreed it'd be a good litmus test for his young Suns.
"Yeah, it's good, we'll get some information, won't we?" Dew continued.
"Collectively and individually it's a fantastic challenge, we know they've got great support as well, so the atmosphere will be fantastic.
"Any time you can play the best as a measuring stick and see where we stack up (is ideal), and I think our players should get some confidence.
"We'll have a look at them at their best, they're clearly potent, but we want to make sure we play our brand as well and test that."
Through his first five full seasons at Gold Coast's helm, Dew's Suns have never won more than 45 per cent of their games, however, thus far in 2023, Gold Coast has won 50 per cent of its games (7-7 after Round 15), presenting an opportunity to enter unchartered territory in the business end of the season.
Dew, whose coaching contract at Gold Coast is set to expire at the conclusion of next season, has been subject to conjecture that ex-Richmond coach Damien Hardwick could be vying for his job if he is to be dismissed at the cessation of this season.
However, if his side is able to make the elusive finals leap this year, that speculation will unequivocally be laid to rest.
Dew's Suns battle the Magpies at Heritage Bank Stadium next Saturday twilight at 4:35 PM AEST.