The Class of 2004 alumni have added a new senior coach to their number.
Stuart Dew – that big booming superboot who captured the imagination of many a young fan sitting in the outer just beyond the 50m line – has been announced as the new coach of the Gold Coast Suns.
It makes Dew the latest in a long line of 2004 players and staff to join the senior coaching ranks.
Here’s the current crop (bracketed shows role on Grand Final day or position in club):
Stuart Dew (Half Forward Flank) - Senior Coach, Gold Coast
Damien Hardwick (Wing) – Senior Coach, Richmond
Brendon Lade (Full Forward) – Assistant, Port Adelaide
Josh Mahoney (Half Forward Flank) – GM Football, Melbourne
Dean Brogan (Ruck) – Assistant, GWS Giants
Adam Kingsley (Interchange) – Assistant, St Kilda
Matthew Primus (club captain, 2004) – Assistant, Gold Coast (and former senior coach, Port Adelaide)
Chad Cornes (Half Back) – Senior Coach, Port Adelaide SANFL
Josh Carr (centre) – Senior Coach, North Adelaide SANFL
Jarrad Schofield (Interchange) – Senior Coach, Subiaco
Stuart Cochrane (list) – Development, Port Adelaide
Jacob Surjan (list) – Development, Port Adelaide
Of course, Mark Williams’ assistants Alastair Clarkson and the late Dean Bailey and Phil Walsh also went on to senior roles at AFL Clubs.
