It was “absolutely inevitable” Stuart Dew’s future would once again come under scrutiny, only hours after Damien Hardwick walked away from Richmond.
Hardwick, a three-time premiership coach, announced his decision on Tuesday but by Wednesday Dew was already fending off questions about his tenure at the Suns.
“The prospect of Damien Hardwick coaching again has been felt across the football landscape and fair or unfair, the eyes immediately turn to Gold Coast on that front,” Gerard Whateley said on AFL 360.
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“Stuart Dew lived this scenario last year with the spectre of Alastair Clarkson. I think he knows he’s going to do so again with Damien Hardwick.
“It’s wretchedly unfair but it’s also absolutely inevitable for a club that hasn’t seen finals yet.”
Speaking to media, Dew once again reiterated his commitment to the Gold Coast as the Hardwick links start to grow.
Suns won’t commit to Dew beyond 2023 | 01:02
“It’s funny, isn’t it? I feel like we should be celebrating Damien, his contribution to the game, his journey … I certainly think 24 hours should have been sufficient to celebrate him,” he said.
“(But) it’s become a little bit of a sport as to who’s next. I find it amusing, (and) I texted Damien about it.
“I’m confident I’m coach of this club now and into the future, and I think the club’s pretty clear that I’m that, too.
“I’m 10 games into a new contract. We have a playing list I feel has committed to the club knowing I’m the coach, so that connection is strong.
“We’ve committed to each other and that’s powerful.
“I love this club and I think I’m the one to lead it. (It’s as) simple as that.”
AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson applauded Dew’s decision to get on the front foot and defend his position at the Suns.
“That is brilliant by Stuart Dew,” he said.
‘It’s easy to see him at another club’ | 02:33
“Every time a position comes up – ‘Stuart Dew, you’re in trouble!’
“The best thing I heard Stuart say then was those kids have committed to me – because I am coach. We are building a group together. It’s like Ken Hinkley in different ways – they are building a group together.
“It would be a bold decision but maybe a right decision – that Stuart Dew keeps his job.
“All of us are guilty of saying… what if they lose? (But) what if they win?”
Whateley said Dew and the Suns were now faced with a season-defining fortnight in Darwin.
“You’ve got to get results to go with those words – they are 4 (wins) and 6 (losses) and they’ve got these two games in Darwin. There’s a world of difference between 6 and 6 and fighting for that place in the finals, and 4 and 8 and you’re done at the bye,” he warned.
“The only way to get it to disappear (the coach talk) is to get those wins on the board.”