Gold Coast Suns adamant they have not approached Damien Hardwick to replace Stuart Dew

Gold Coast CEO Mark Evans has denied the Suns have made an approach to Damien Hardwick as he provides his ‘full support’ to embattled coach Stuart Dew.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 18: Stuart Dew, Senior Coach of the Suns looks on during the 2023 AFL Round 14 match between the Carlton Blues and the Gold Coast Suns at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 18, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans says he has “absolutely not” approached Damien Hardwick or his management amid speculation Stuart Dew could be replaced by the three-time premiership coach.

Evans spoke on Wednesday ahead of Dew’s weekly press conference to address media speculation the club was poised to replace its incumbent coach and denied there had been any contact with Hardwick.

“Absolutely not,” Evans said.

“I have never bought into comments about other people. I’ve got a coach – this club’s got a coach. There would be no reason why we would buy into comments about who is available, it serves no purpose.”

Gold Coast Suns CEO Mark Evans. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Asked if Dew still had the support of the club, Evans said the sixth-year coach had “my support to get on with the job”.

“I’ve said time and time again, Stuey is our coach, contracted for this year and next year [and] if he does a good job, he’ll be contracted into the future,” Evans said.

“So all I can say is, he’s got my support to get on with the job and manage our players and staff as well as he can to see what performance we can get out of [the team against] Port Adelaide and across the rest of the year.”

Dew signed a two-year contract extension last July to take him to the end of 2024.

On Monday, Channel 9’s Caroline Wilson said it was her belief Dew would be sacked within the month.

Stuart Dew has received Mark Evans’ “full support”. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Dew broke his silence the following day, telling the Herald Sun he had been assured by Evans those claims were unfounded.

But by Wednesday the Suns coach said he was ready to move on and focus on Port Adelaide this weekend.

“I’ve had my say, but journalists have to have their say as well. They can do their job and I can do mine,” Dew said.

“It’s gotta be about this weekend for all of us and I think everyone in this room knows I’ve never made it about myself and I don’t intend to going forward.

“My job is about preparing the players and the staff for a good performance this week and beyond.

“I’m really clear where I sit and I think I’ve said that before and I’ll say it again. But I understand the industry looks at performance. We’re in a performance industry.

“I wasn’t looking for sympathy and I won’t. I’ll get on with my job, because I love it.”