Port Adelaide senior assistant coach Stuart Dew has completed his first day in his new role, alongside the rest of Josh Carr’s new coaching group. 

Returning to Alberton after almost 20 years, Dew is focused on supporting Carr in his transition to senior coach, and looks forward to getting to know the playing group. 

Speaking with the Adelaide media on Monday, he discussed his decision to come to Port Adelaide, what appealed to him about the role, and what he’s learned over his coaching journey so far.  

Dew on returning to Port Adelaide 
“It's been a while (since I’ve been here), nearly 20 years. So the place looks a little bit different. Some things are the same, but it’s very fresh and new for myself, that's for sure.” 

Dew on the decision to come to Port Adelaide 
“After Gold Coast, I had a bit of a conversation (with the club), but it wasn't the right time. And then it probably didn't really become real until Brisbane were finished, to be fair, because we were so in the thick of it, that I didn't really want to consider much else other than trying to win a flag. I guess when you're in that position, you don't want to upset anything, and I didn't want to get involved in anything until I was genuinely finished. 

“And then, obviously, when you're talking with family and that, until it becomes real, then you don't really consider it seriously. So in that sense, it all happened pretty quick after that last game. So obviously it's a big decision to make, but one I'm ready for.” 

Dew on what appealed to him about Port Adelaide 
“Obviously there's still some connections here. Moving family is a little bit easier coming back towards more family. So that was one consideration. And, and obviously, just the timing, I think, in the role. Coming back and starting with Carry (Josh Carr) I think that was a big carrot for me. Obviously, I've got some experience in the role that he's about to undertake, and of the gap from being an assistant to senior coach. So I think I can help put some support around him, and use my learnings from my experience in the same role. So I think I can offer something for him and the footy club, in that sense.” 

Dew on the initial conversations with Josh Carr  
“He made some contact with me and in that sense, I said, look, it's something I'll think about, but at a later date. So then we just reconnected when the time was right, and I felt that it became real, rather than just an idea and something up in the universe. But once it becomes a little bit real, as it does in footy terms, it accelerates pretty quick.” 

Dew on supporting Josh Carr  
“There’s just a number of things that when you become a senior coach, come at you, that you only realise once you're in that chair. And I think I can be a good sounding board for him and just provide good support. Things aren't going to be linear in any sense, even at the absolute top clubs, things go up and down a little bit. So I think he's built a good team around him. And even standing up in the meeting room this morning, I certainly am not alone in starting day one here, there was probably eight to 10 people standing up. So that's a good thing as well. Obviously with (Carr) being here for a few years, freshening up the group is a good thing, and it needs to feel new for the players too.” 

Dew on what he learned from his time at Gold Coast 
“I think it's just making sure that everyone's on the same page. And that comes from footy department, through admin, through the board, that's important. You’ve got to run your footy club as to how you see it run, and not how others see it run. And I think that's the sign of a strong footy club. And Port Adelaide is one of those.” 

Dew on the new coaching group 
“I've been here probably for about, what are we now? Maybe four hours. So I’m still getting my head around things just logistically, and not getting lost in the building. So over time, I think what he (Carr) has got is a diverse group. Good experience, people that have been at other clubs as well. And I think that's important. So when the time comes in the next couple of weeks, I'm sure we'll share our ideas and then get rock solid on what we want to be, because I think that's important. You can take ideas from other clubs, but in the end, you've got to have your own identity and work out what that is and what fits your playing group.” 

Dew on the midfield 
“I think my efforts will go on just getting to know the players. Like I said, I think your ideas have got to fit what your players are capable of and I want to come in pretty fresh, so I won't be asking too many questions of people that have been here with that playing group. And I think that's important, that they feel like they've got a fresh voice as well, and getting to know what they're like, you know, their learning styles and how they like to be coached as well. I think that's the beauty of being a fresh set of eyes at a new place is making sure I keep it that way and not having many preconceived ideas. There's two players that I've coached in the club, and that's exciting for me.” 

Dew on the current list 
“That's one thing again, that I haven't spent too much time on that, because I think, you know, importantly, I want to get to know the list themselves, rather than look at it on paper. I think we've clearly got some strengths there. Everyone's always looking for more in terms of list, but I think we've got a strong foundation and there's some youth there. Having dealt with youth on the Gold Coast, I think that's something that I can offer this footy club in terms of how to develop that and try and bring them up to speed in AFL footy.” 

Dew on whether he’d want to be a senior coach again 
“Short answer is yes, but my focus will be, again, I've got to get to know a whole playing list here and a whole footy club. So again, that's the beauty of changing footy clubs is you get that freshness yourself, but I don't think that that journey is closed. But again, I haven't thought too much about that in recent times.” 

Dew on what his advice for Zak Butters will be next year 
“I think it'd just be to focus on the footy. The reality is that stuff (speculation about a player’s future) is at every footy club and they go through it, but I think all the players want to do is to play good footy. I don't think any players go in wanting to focus on what might be next. My advice would be just to stay in the moment and where he is at this point in time and the rest will take care of itself. That's the reality of footy these days. Players deal with it pretty well and I think clubs do but supporters and the outside get a little bit attached to it. Our energy will be on how do we get him to be the best footballer the next week, and the week after, and this season. 

“I'll be putting my energy into helping him be the best player. And I think in any relationship, if you're having to convince someone, then the outcome is probably in the wrong spot anyway, whether you get to a good one or not. So I think my energy is going to be into being his coach and concentrating on his footy, because, again, there'll be enough noise from outside for him. So I don't mean to be another one doing that for him.” 

Dew on his experience with the Australian men’s cricket team and at Brisbane 
“My time with the Aussies was amazing. I think I found out Monday night, and I reckon I was on a plane Wednesday night. It was great that it fitted in to be able to go to the Ashes, a bit of a bucket list for me. Andrew McDonald and the lads there really welcomed me. And I went to go to one training session and ended up three weeks in the inner sanctum. So pretty lucky to be in that scenario. And that was great to see a different environment. And then, obviously with Brisbane, I started halfway through 2024 and got in at the right time and won a couple of flags. So I've been blessed in my time to see a number of clubs get to the last game and win, so I feel like I've got a good view of what winning looks like and the ingredients required.” 

Dew on bouncing back after his exit from the Suns 
“You do, in time (come to terms with it). But like I said, actually jumping straight into a different environment was fantastic. And again, all the players there were unreal. You know, a lot of conversations with Travis (Head) and even Pat (Cummins), I couldn't have been more impressed with how he led as a captain. And there's a big gap between a captain in a cricket team to a footy team. They're almost the GM. the captains, and they deal with a lot. So it was great to see that. But that environment was so welcoming that I got over (the exit from the Suns) pretty quick, to be honest. How could you not inside the Aussie dressing rooms about four days after being sacked? Pretty positive. Sometimes the best gifts come wrapped poorly and that's what happened. But it was great for me.” 

Dew on what he learned from transitioning from assistant to senior coach 
“Everything you do as an assistant is everything you don't do as a senior coach. So you're dealing with less around the game plans, more the environment and people, and making sure that everyone feels valued in the organisation. And ultimately, you can have lots of people doing different roles, but everyone wants to hear from the senior coach. So it's making sure that he steps in when he's needed, manages his energy and his impact. He’s coached his own team in the SANFL, and this is a different step up, but it's the same principles. And I think he's got a great philosophy in terms of people. Good people make good footy clubs, and give people good roles, and then actually get out of their way and let them do that as well, and be there for support when you need so I think he's well equipped.” 

Dew on where he thinks AFL football is headed 
“It's a transition game. I can't see that slowing down, and you need to be able to score. Certainly I think the teams that go deep and be successful can score, but are also really strong defensively. So I haven't really split the atom there, have I? But that's just the reality. The footy clubs that I've been at that have been successful, keep it really simple. Repetition is something you can't get bored with, and at times I think we can over coach or over complicate, but keeping it really simple for players.” 

Dew on reflecting on his previous time at Port Adelaide 
“I'm not a nostalgic person, so I don't have anything up at home around footy. I feel like that's well in the past, and I think it's important for this footy club, and maybe the other players feel the same way, but I feel like it's time for a new group to have their time as well. So that's what we're working for. So I'd love for us to, in the near future, be talking about a new 22 or 23 that win a flag, so we can move on from 2004 and it can be a memory, but a good one. But we need a fresh one, and that's obviously what the whole club's here to do.”