Josh Francou reunites with Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew to take on major task of rebuilding the Suns
JOSH Francou is leaving the Adelaide Football Club but staying in AFL football with a new role at Gold Coast where he is reunited with long-time friend, Suns senior coach Stuart Dew.
JOSH Francou will remain in AFL football — with Gold Coast.
The former Port Adelaide midfielder and Brownlow Medal runner-up will join his former Power team-mate and current Suns senior coach Stuart Dew in a key role rebuilding the Gold Coast football program.
Francou leaves the Crows — after just one year into a three-season deal with Adelaide — to coach the Suns’ midfielders. He also will take charge of development and integration at the Suns and to oversee coaching and development throughout the club’s academy, NEAFL and AFL programs.
Francou and Dew are reunited for the first time since they both worked in Sydney’s program for coach John Longmire.
Dew, who is to start his second season as the Suns’ senior coach, was most eager to secure Francou after learning of his unease at West Lakes.
Suns football boss Jon Haines announced Francou’s appointment saying: “Josh is highly regarded across the AFL industry, both for his playing career and coaching background.
“He brings to the club an extensive coaching CV, and his teaching background will be a great asset in the development of our playing group, along with supporting the integration of all aspects of the learning experience, from academy to the senior AFL program.”
Francou, a 146-game AFL player with the Power, also coached North Adelaide to an SANFL grand final in 2013.
michelangelo.rucci@news.com.au