Stuart Dew sacked: Interim coach Steven King on Gold Coast coach, 2024 ambitions
Gold Coast interim coach Steven King lifted the lid on the impact Stuart Dew’s sacking has had on the club’s players as he prepares to lead them for the first time.
Gold Coast interim coach Steven King says he will continue to support Stuart Dew following his shock sacking but the club has moved on from the drama ahead of a “must-win” game against St Kilda this weekend.
It was a day of firsts for King on Thursday as he addressed the playing group, took control of the main training session and fronted media to explain exactly how the club planned to see out the final seven weeks of the regular season.
“It’s been a pretty heavy couple of days to be honest,” King conceded.
“As brutal as it is, in this industry no one waits for you and you have to get on with what your next responsibility is and for me, that was to step up as interim coach.
“You’ve got empathy for everyone that works in this industry, especially someone who goes through what Stuey did, but you’ve got a responsibility to do the right thing and bounce back pretty strongly.”
Thursday was the Suns’ first training of the week after Tuesday’s session was cancelled in light of Dew’s sacking.
King conceded there were “clearly mixed emotions” when he addressed the playing group for the first time.
“I think as a club we did the right thing and let them spend a bit of time away from the place and with each other,” he said.
“Players will have different responses. Some have spent their whole careers with Stuey; others have probably seen a couple (coaches) come and go.”
Amidst an incredibly turbulent week off-field, the club must somehow refocus its attention on keeping its slim finals hopes alive with a win over St Kilda on Saturday.
On Tuesday, Suns chairman Bob East and CEO Mark Evans declared the club had not given up on making finals this season even with Dew shown the door.
A loss to St Kilda would leave the Suns needing to win the final six games of the season to have a chance of featuring in September.
But King said Saturday’s clash at Heritage Bank Stadium was more about responding after two devastating defeats to Collingwood and Port Adelaide.
“I think this is a must-win just in regards to how we respond as a footy club,” King said.
“This is more around the human element and how our players feel and making sure they’re up for the challenge that’s coming.
“We’re facing a team that’s ruthless, well-organised and coached by a great coach, so we know we know what’s coming and we have to make sure we’re ready for that.”
Asked if he would approach the next seven weeks as a dress rehearsal for the full-time job in 2024, King said it was not something that had crossed his mind.
My role at the moment is to step up and maintain this club’s competitiveness for the next seven weeks and get back to the brand of footy that we can (play),” he said.
“I feel as prepared as anyone in this role at the moment but ultimately (becoming the next senior coach) is out of my control.
“My focus is purely to get through this week and the result against St Kilda and make sure that whatever happens, this place is in a good spot for whoever comes in to take the role.”
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