Gold Coast Suns AFL: CEO Mark Evans responds to Damien Hardwick speculation

Gold Coast CEO Mark Evans says Stuart Dew remains ‘in our plans’ as the club goes all-in on a maiden AFL finals appearance, dismissing any links to Damien Hardwick.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 23: Damien Hardwick the coach of the Tigers speaks to the media where he announced his retirement during a Richmond Tigers AFL press conference at Punt Road Oval on May 23, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Gold Coast CEO Mark Evans says Damien Hardwick’s comments about one day returning to the AFL coaching fold are “not relevant” to the Suns and their key focus this season – playing finals football for the very first time.

Hardwick sent shockwaves through the AFL last month when he quit as Richmond coach after 14 seasons and three premierships at Punt Road.

The 50-year-old declared he was “looking forward to a break” but barely a month after his Richmond send-off, Hardwick told the Dyl & Friends Podcast: “At some stage I will probably step back in (to coaching), when that is, I’m not too sure.”

Former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick enjoys a beer before the round 14 AFL match between Richmond and St Kilda. Photo by Michael Klein.

Hardwick is due to jet off for a European holiday from next week but has dropped a grenade behind him on the way out by fuelling speculation over which clubs will chase his services from next season and beyond.

One club seemingly always linked to high-profile coaching targets is Gold Coast.

Last month Stuart Dew scoffed at the idea he might be replaced by Hardwick as Suns coach.

When asked if the club had been in contact with Hardwick, Evans said: “I haven’t seen the comments (from Hardwick) to be honest.

Gold Coast Suns CEO Mark Evans. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“We’ve had commentary about Stuey’s position in previous years and our approach has been to create stability, provide him with the support that he needs and most importantly to maintain everybody’s focus on the job at-hand and that is to maximise the opportunity across the remainder of this season and push towards finals.”

Dew is a popular figure at the club with both staff and players and under his leadership Gold Coast has retained the bulk of its top-line talent, which had previously been a major challenge.

Last season he signed a two-year contract extension to the end of 2024, ending speculation Alastair Clarkson could take over at the Suns.

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew is a popular figure at the club. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“To be clear, Stuey is contracted and in our plans,” Evans said.

“Over the last three or four years we have said we would want to be in a position to push towards finals this year and next year. At 7-7 that opportunity is firmly in front of us.

“Absolutely. He’s our coach – and whenever this has come up in the past, what we have done is make sure he has the right support around him over the last few years.

“We’ve added in Neil Craig, Wayne Campbell, Steven King and others to make sure that he has the right support so that we can have that success.”

Originally published as Gold Coast Suns AFL: CEO Mark Evans responds to Damien Hardwick speculation