‘Wonderful experience’: Stuart Dew departs back-to-back premier Brisbane for Port homecoming

Stuart Dew will return to Port Adelaide as a senior assistant coach after two seasons at back-to-back reigning premiers Brisbane.

Dew will serve as 2004 premiership teammate Josh Carr’s right-hand man following two years at the Lions.

He started at Brisbane in a part-time coaching role in 2024 before being promoted to full-time forwards coach in 2025.

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It continues the Power’s footy department overhaul in a new era including Carr replacing long-time coach Ken Hinkley and footy boss Chris Davies departing for Carlton.

Dew is the latest addition to Carr’s coaching staff alongside Luke Webster and Darren Reeves and new director of coaching Andy Collins.

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

Dew becomes the first key figure to leave Brisbane just days after the club’s second-straight grand final victory.

The former Suns boss coached Gold Coast from 2018 to 2023 after working under John Longmire at Sydney.

In other potential movement at the Lions, Callum Ah Chee is also expected to move to South Australia via the Crows, while Brandon Stacevich is weighing up an offer form West Coast and Deven Robertson has been linked to trade talk.

Chris Fagan’s side will power up in free agency though with the looming additions of Oscar Allen and Sam Draper.

“I would like to thank the Brisbane Lions Football Club for the opportunity to be a part of such a successful era for the club,” Dew added.

“From the moment I walked into the club, to winning the 2024 and 2025 premierships, it has been such a wonderful experience.

“I will miss the club, players and the people who created an environment that made it so easy to come into work every day.

“In particular, I would like to thank Chris Fagan and Danny Daly for their support as I move to a new challenge at the Port Adelaide Football Club. I will be forever grateful for the experience, and the club is in great hands.”

Lions head of football Danny Daly thanked Dew for his contributions.

“While you never want to lose great people like ‘Dewy’ and an assistant coach with his invaluable experience, we fully understand his decision,” Daly said.

“In his two seasons with the club, ‘Dewy’ was a vital part in our premiership success and became a much-loved staff member. 

“On behalf of everyone at the Brisbane Lions we would like to thank Dewy and his family for their contribution and wish them all the best.”

Dew, a two-time premiership player for Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, played 180 of his 206 AFL games for the Power.