The Gold Coast SUNS today appointed Stuart Dew as its Senior Coach for the next three years after a thorough selection process.
Dew, a dual premiership player at the Port Adelaide and Hawthorn Football Clubs, has been a development and assistant coach at the Sydney Swans for the last eight seasons.
More recently as Senior Assistant Coach, Dew has worked closely with Sydney Senior Coach John Longmire, playing a leading role in the Swans' sustained period of success, which has seen them reach the finals in each of these years.
Dew, 38, said he was looking forward to the opportunity of coaching in his own right.
“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to moving to the Gold Coast with my family and getting stuck into the challenge ahead,” Dew said.
“I would like to acknowledge the Sydney Swans for the development and experience they have given to me to help me secure this position.
“In particular, I’d like to thank John Longmire, Tom Harley, Dean Moore and Andrew Ireland for the education and assistance that they have provided to me.
“I will move to the Gold Coast as soon as possible and I look forward to meeting our players and staff and working with them as we develop a clear pathway to future success for our fans in the coming years.
“My experience tells me that the success we all crave comes on the back of genuine buy in and commitment from all and a sustained selfless team approach, that’s where I want to take the Gold Coast SUNS."
Chairman Tony Cochrane welcomed Stuart to the Gold Coast.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have signed Stuart Dew as our Senior Coach,” Cochrane said.
“Our Chief Executive, Mark Evans, ran a very thorough process to identify and secure the best person to take us forward.
“Stuart boasts the qualities required to be a successful coach and I am confident our team will grow with Stuart over the coming years.”
Dew retired at the end of the 2009 season after being drafted to Port Adelaide in the 1996 National Draft. He played a total of 206 AFL games, 180 for Port Adelaide before spending his final two seasons at Hawthorn. He won a premiership with Port Adelaide in 2004 and another with Hawthorn in 2008.
At a glance
Stuart Dew
Born: 18, August, 1979
Debut: Round 12, 1997 against the West Coast Eagles at
Games: 206 (Port Adelaide 180, Hawthorn 26)
Goals: 265 (Port Adelaide 245, Hawthorn 20)
Premiership player: 2004 & 2008
