Stuart Dew returns to Alberton as senior assistant coach

The Port Adelaide Football Club is delighted to announce that Power premiership player and former Gold Coast senior coach Stuart Dew will return to Alberton as a senior assistant coach ahead of the 2026 season.

Dew will serve as the senior assistant to premiership teammate and senior coach Josh Carr, with the responsibility of leading the club's elite midfield group.

The appointment reunites two members of Port Adelaide's historic 2004 premiership team, bringing together a combined 30 years of coaching experience and a deep understanding of the club's winning culture.

Dew has been an integral part of Brisbane’s back-to-back AFL premierships in 2024 and 2025 under senior coach Chris Fagan. He joined the Lions as a specialist coach in 2024 before being promoted to forwards coach the following year.

Dew's coaching credentials are extensive. Following a 206-game playing career across Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, he transitioned immediately into coaching, starting in development at Sydney in 2010 before becoming an assistant coach in 2011.

During his eight seasons at the Swans, he was involved in eight finals campaigns, including a premiership in 2012.

From 2018 to 2023, Dew was the senior coach of Gold Coast, where he played an important role in building a platform for the club’s future success. He is still the Suns' longest-tenured head coach for his almost six years of service.

As a player, he remains a cult hero among Power fans, remembered for his elite forward craft and booming left foot across his 180 games and 10 seasons at Alberton from 1997 to 2006.

Port Adelaide CEO Matthew Richardson said the club was delighted to secure Dew's services.

"We are thrilled to welcome Stuart and his family back to the Port Adelaide Football Club," Mr Richardson said.

"Stuart's coaching credentials speak for themselves. His experience across three AFL clubs, and the success he's achieved at the highest level, reflects his ability to analyse the modern game and his capacity to build strong relationships with players and staff.

"We know our fans will be thrilled with this announcement, and we share in their excitement. Stuart is not only a fantastic coach; he's a premiership player for our club who has always been held in the highest regard by our supporters.

"Our refreshed coaching panel, led by Josh Carr, is in excellent shape as we begin preparations for the 2026 season."

Dew was delighted to return to Alberton, and was grateful for his time at Brisbane.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be heading back to my former club as a senior assistant coach,” he said.

“To work alongside my old teammate Josh Carr is a great opportunity, and one I am really looking forward to. I have great respect for Josh and his vision for the club moving forward, and the Port Adelaide playing list is full of talent.

“I would like to thank the Brisbane Lions Football Club for the opportunity to be part of back-to-back premierships, an experience that has been both rewarding and memorable. I am particularly grateful to Chris Fagan, Danny Daly, and the entire Football Department for their support and professionalism. The club is in great hands.

“I now look forward to the next challenge, and I am eager to get started.”

Dew is the latest addition to Carr’s coaching setup, following on from new assistant coaches Luke Webster and Darren Reeves, and Director of Coaching Andy Collins.

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