Stuart Dew sacked: Damien Hardwick will be open to conversation with Gold Coast

The contenders to replace Stuart Dew as Gold Coast coach can be revealed, with Damien Hardwick an overwhelming favourite — and he could be richly rewarded for a move north.

Richmond premiership coach Damien Hardwick is open to Gold Coast’s overtures as he starts the club’s search for Stuart Dew’s replacement as the overwhelming favourite to become its fourth senior coach.

And the AFL’s ambassadorial fund for players and clubs in expansion markets could help sweeten the deal as the Suns search for an experienced senior coach to replace Dew.

Dew was shattered to be informed by the Suns they had terminated his services after nearly six seasons restoring a list that had significant salary cap and talent issues when he arrived.

But the Suns believed they had made clear when they extended his contract last season their expectation was a finals berth in 2023.

Chairman Bob East said it was a “unanimous board decision” to sack Dew, with the Herald Sun reporting last week his payout would be as small as $300,000.

Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans is yet to make formal contact with Hardwick’s manager Paul Connors as he works through the process to appoint a replacement.

But Hardwick, in Europe with family until late August, is open to the Suns overtures and determined to coach again in 2024 if an opportunity presents.

Damien Hardwick is open to having a conversation with Gold Coast. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The Herald Sun understands Geelong has already kickstarted talks with dual premiership coach Chris Scott to extend him past 2024 for at least 15 years at the club.

It means he will not be a contender for the Suns role as he transitions the Geelong list into the future as he prepares to pass Reg Hickey in coming weeks for the most games coached at the Cats.

The league was open to topping up Alastair Clarkson’s salary if he moved to the Suns last year before the Gold Coast eventually stayed with Dew.

An ambassadorial contract of up to $100,000 to spread the gospel on the Gold Coast would help sweeten the financial package for Hardwick.

Inaugural Suns player Campbell Brown said the Suns hierarchy looked like “morons” for backing Dew so publicly last week then sacking him after a Monday night board meeting.

But the Suns had significant concerns Dew could take them to a finals campaign with his team 7-9 this year despite the return of star spearhead Ben King from an ACL tear.

Evans said his strong backing of Dew last week had been made to “stabilise” the players and coaches before the Port Adelaide game.

But “that changes once you make a decision. That happened last night”.

Evans said on Monday he would hold off on contacting Hardwick until he had formulated a process for Suns chairman Bob East.

“No. I want to deal with this bit properly and then as Bob said, he’s asked me to bring some thoughts back to the board and I’ll do that in due course,” he said.

Suns chairman East made clear the club expected to play finals immediately under the new coach as he laid bare “clear deficiencies” under Dew.

The Suns broke the news to Dew late on Monday night after their board meeting, admitting the discussion had been brief given his disappointment.

Gold Coast is well aware Hardwick is keen to hit the ground running next year and is prepared to move interstate.

Evans was backed emphatically by East on Tuesday despite speculation about his future.

In the final weeks Dew felt the walls were closing around him as his relationship with football boss Wayne Campbell deteriorated and he sensed Evans’ lack of confidence.

But Gold Coast felt it had needed to find a coach to break its 13-season finals drought after giving Dew six seasons.

Inaugural coach Guy McKenna lasted three seasons and Rodney Eade was in charge for three years until replaced by interim coach Dean Solomon for three games before Dew took charge in 2018.

Originally published as Stuart Dew sacked: Damien Hardwick will be open to conversation with Gold Coast