Former Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew’s role in Brisbane Lions’ rise revealed

Brisbane Lions have hailed the role former Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew has played in their rise to premiership contention this year, revealing how the unlikely union came about.

It was Chris Fagan who first approached Stuart Dew to join Brisbane on a part-time basis and form a partnership that we could look back on as a masterstroke if the Lions go on to taste September success.

Dew, who just over 12 months ago was sacked by Gold Coast after six seasons as the Suns’ head coach, was last month quietly persuaded to return to football by his former Hawthorn mentor.

Fagan and Dew first crossed paths at the Hawks in 2008. Fagan was the head of coaching and development at the club, while Dew was on a playing comeback having initially retired at the end of 2006 before the Hawks convinced him to come out of retirement.

Stuart Dew and Chris Fagan chat to media as opposing coaches before a QClash. Picture: AAP/Megan Slade

Dew’s feats in the 2008 grand final are legendary. In a brilliant third quarter burst he kicked two goals, set up two more, and was instrumental in Hawthorn surging over the top of Geelong.

He was Gold Coast’s longest-serving and most successful coach in the club’s short history.

This time around Fagan’s pitch did not include a run-on role. Instead, he wanted the two-time premiership winner to spend one day a week helping the Lions with their goal kicking.

It was clear to see why.

Dew linked with the Lions at the mid-season bye, following the 25-point loss to Hawthorn in round 11.

To that point of the season Fagan’s side had kicked 131.138. Only three times in their first 11 games did the Lions go at better than 50 per cent in front of goal.

“We were having some issues with our goal kicking and Stuey was an hour up the road doing nothing,” Brisbane football boss Danny Daly told this masthead.

“They happened to be chatting one day and it led to Fages coming to see me about whether it would be OK for him (Dew) to come down one day a week to do some skills and goal kicking with the boys.”

Stuart Dew with Australian cricket team during the Ashes.

Stuart Dew in the Brisbane coaches box.

Brisbane forward Eric Hipwood said Dew had been “a great resource to tap into” since he arrived at Brighton Homes Arena. And the proof is reflected on the scoreboard.

Since Dew’s arrival, the Lions’ scoring accuracy has risen from 48.69 per cent to 53.21 per cent.

Whereas earlier in the season they were losing games due to inaccuracy, some of the recent close wins during their run of eight consecutive victories have been saved by better goal kicking.

From 10 points adrift of the top eight entering the bye, the Lions are now locked in second spot on the ladder and have a home qualifying final in their sights.

There are many reasons how and why Brisbane has turned its season around. But one of the more unheralded yet important ones could be the shrewd acquisition of Dew – a man unwanted by the Lions’ rivals down the road.

“When it comes to something as deliberate as goal kicking, just having a different voice can help,” Daly said.

“We now have someone coming in and concentrating on it, coming from a different space, and I think it’s been beneficial for everyone.”

Originally published as Former Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew’s role in Brisbane Lions’ rise revealed