It’s no secret that Stuart Dew is in a precarious position going into the 2022 season. He knows as well as anyone that his job is under immense pressure.
The 2021 season held promise for Gold Coast, as every season does, but once more the club failed to succeed. It wasn’t all bad. With six games to go, it appeared as though Gold Coast were going to finish between 10th and 12th at least given the way they were playing. As always, though, any sort of optimism was dashed, and they went on to lose all six matches and finish 16th.
While Dewy is no slouch in the coaching box and has my backing all the way as the right man to take Gold Coast forward, the statistics just don’t look good. After four years at the helm his highest finish is 14th. It reads terribly, especially to a board of officials who know that a more successful coach is potentially on the table.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
With the AFL rumoured to be helping Gold Coast once more with funds, this time to assist them in affording a monster contract for former Hawthorn guru coach Alastair Clarkson, Dew is under the pump more than ever. Add in that his contract is up at the end of the 2022 season, and the writing seems to be on the wall.
Many people are saying that nothing can save Stuart Dew and that he’s simply a placeholder this year as the side waits for Clarkson to take the helm.
However, if Dew were able to take Gold Coast to their first-ever finals series by finishing in the top eight, that would be enough to convince the club that he’s the right choice moving forward.
With the side that Gold Coast is building through player development, trades, free-agent signings and the draft, their list is looking almightily strong going into next year. Just listen to this amount of talent in their best 22: Jeremy Sharp, Jack Bowes, Jack Lukosius, Noah Anderson, Brandon Ellis, Jarrod Witts, Matthew Rowell, Touk Miller, Charlie Constable and Mac Andre – and that’s not even all of them.
And that’s before we mention Ben King, whose season-ending injury has turned an already uphill battle into an Everest level climb for the Suns. But on paper Gold Coast still have an incredible list.
But that has historically always been their problem: on paper success, on-field mediocrity. It is a reason why their star players have always run off to greener pastures as soon as their contracts are up, resulting in countless rebuilds.
Sure, they’ll need to play catch-up without their star King twin, but with the drive knowing that their coach is under pressure off the field, the playing group can lift enough to produce magic on the field, thus saving Dewy’s job.
Unlikely? Yes. Impossible? No.
Look for Stuart Dew to turn it all around this year, simply because he has to, otherwise he’s out of a job.
Macca
Roar Rookie
But that is part of this issue, first year key forwards get beaten up by big units and struggle to stay on the park. Even if he has put on 11kg since the Footywire weight update, 85kg is just too light for a 200cm plus player.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Berrlins it’s the AFL baby team, the AFL will roll out the red carpet for the messiah. They don’t want to pump money into a lemon they want to see some rewards.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure using McDonald as a yardstick is terribly useful. After racing out of the blocks at the start of the year - he was either out injured or majorly underdone.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Plus Dow and O’Brien are not well liked by the Carlton faithful.
berrlins
Roar Pro
I know Macca, I'm not talking about winning percentage, all I'm saying is if Dew improves on the 7 wins from last year (as I said before 10 should be his goal) they shouldn't sack him for Clarkson.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Dew has a winning percentage of less than 25%, Ratten was over 50% when Carlton sacked him
berrlins
Roar Pro
ah yes the messiah solution, that really worked well for Carlton didn't it? Getting Clarko to Gold COast could hurt them instead of helping them. Dew has helped create a really good culture that wasn't there before, they have improved, Clarko could disrupt all of that and cause players to leave.
Macca
Roar Rookie
A little but spreads well and neat by foot (better than Walsh in that dept). We are never going to replace Walsh’s mix of run and inside work but with Cerra offering outside run Carroll can help replace his inside work while offering a little on the inside. Alternatively O’Brien could provide his run outside and better foot skills but won’t be able to go inside.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Carroll is more of an inside midfielder though isn’t he.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
A winning culture starts with the coach
Macca
Roar Rookie
Trading and drafting, Carroll shouldn’t be underestimated
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Probably? Bah I’m always right even when I’m wrong haha. The suns do have an impressive list on paper but they’ve struggled for a long long time on account of the lack of a winning culture and sheer bad luck
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yeah they would be significantly worse plus Carlton finally has some midfield depth thanks to their aggressive trading
Chanon
Roar Rookie
The list is impressive on paper but your probably correct he may prefer a team like the dogs
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Nah I don’t think Clarko will have it unless the Suns remain on their current trendline
Macca
Roar Rookie
As long as it’s only a month, it might not be too bad and I would rather lose Walsh than McKay or Weitering
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Eh it’s a natural part of footy. These things happen I trust that Sam Walsh will come back reasonably strong.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Pretty poor comment with a ‘haha’ about a players injury.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Clarko
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Who is elephant brain again?