AFL 2023: Stuart Dew declares himself an easy target as heat grows on Gold Coast coach
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew has hit out at claims by Channel 9’s Caroline Wilson that he was set to be sacked, claiming the comments were ‘unfounded’.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew believes he’s an easy target and has hit back at claims after his future was put on red alert on Monday night.
Dew was assured at a meeting with Suns Chief executive Mark Evans on Tuesday that a report claiming he will be sacked within a month were “unfounded.”
Dew also received a text message from Suns chairman, Bob East who is holidaying in Vietnam, offering words of support.
Dew told the Herald Sun on Tuesday night: “He (Evans) absolutely told me it (the report) was unfounded.”
The claims, made by Channel 9’s Caroline Wilson, were extremely disappointing Dew said.
“There’s no accountability,” he said.
“Last year, (Alastair) Clarkson’s got my job, then he’s got Essendon’s job, Carlton’s job.
“In the past 18 months she’s gone six or seven times about me and not once has she bothered to pick up the phone to me.
“She just doesn’t care about the person.
“For me I’ve been in the industry for a long time but it’s your family and you’re constantly fielding calls from those people.
Dew said the players approached him about the reports on Tuesday.
“The players are filthy. They’re like, ‘you’re our coach mate, we’ve signed knowing you’re going to be our coach and we’re in it.’
“They asked me ‘what do you want to do about (the claims)’.
“I said boys don’t worry about it.”
About his future, Dew said: “I’ll know before anyone if I’m not the one.
“We are building something … everyone’s on board.
“Noah Anderson doesn’t sign, Ben King doesn’t sign if they can’t see success.
“ … it’s just disappointing, just find some new material.
The Suns were thrashed by 78 points on Saturday afternoon by Collingwood putting Dew’s future once again under the microscope.
Former teammate and three-time premiership coach Damien Hardwick has been linked to Suns role after he declared he was keen to coach again last week.
Dew said his side still had belief despite the loss to Collingwood.
“People in our club get what we’re doing, where we are at. It was a bad loss on the weekend but that Collingwood team might win the grand final this year by 10 goals.
“And that’s not to say our effort wasn’t great.”
Originally published as AFL 2023: Stuart Dew declares himself an easy target as heat grows on Gold Coast coach
Ablett family reveal details of son’s condition
Jordan and Gary Ablett had been reluctant to discuss many details about their little boy’s heartbreaking condition until now.
Injury-hit Demons stun Crows in Norwood thriller
Struck down by a host of injuries across their team, the Dees have managed to keep their AFLW season alive by pulling off a thrilling victory over the Crows.