Sydney Swans' next title tilt motivates Dew

DUAL premiership player Stuart Dew says he is excited by the challenge of helping to build the Sydney Swans’ next tilt at a flag.

Dew joined the Swans as a development coach in mid-November after persistent soft tissue injuries forced him to end his 206-game career at the end of the 2009 season.

The 30-year-old, who won flags at both Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, said he was relishing his role on the other side of the player-coach divide.

“I’ve loved it. I can’t wait to get here in the morning. I’m just loving getting to know the boys and also what’s required, so it’s better than I thought it would be,” he told sydneyswans.com.au.

“It’s a different sort of feeling. You’re involved in all the preparation and meetings and things like that, so you get a new appreciation for the effort and thought that goes into simple training sessions.”

Along with fellow development coach Daniel McPherson, Dew will work predominantly with the Swans’ younger players in 2010.

The prospect of coaching grew more appealing during his two years at Hawthorn, where he worked closely with the coaching group as an on-field mentor for the developing side that won a flag in 2008.

“I loved the involvement of helping the younger players try to improve,” he said.

“I thought it was just a natural progression - once you can’t do it yourself, you want to help others realise their dreams and watch them grow as footballers and just normal human beings.

“You need to work out what makes them tick and how to get the best out of them.

“Over time, you play with a lot of players and play under a lot of coaches, so you can take bits and pieces from everyone and give others the best advice.”

The Swans’ development group will number about 20 players in 2010 after the arrival of five new draftees on Monday, including first-round selections Gary Rohan and Lewis Jetta.

Dew said that quintet would have ample opportunity to make their mark.

“There are spots in the side and it’s a case of ‘Who wants them?’” he said.

“It’s not often you get to a great club and have that opportunity where five or so spots are up for grabs - maybe even more. 

“The team’s not set in stone so these guys have got a few months to impress, to earn the respect of the group and the coaches.

“There’s no reason why two or three of those guys couldn’t be playing senior footy next year.”

While the Swans’ younger generation will be the source of much excitement, Dew said the input of the club’s senior stars would be crucial to their development.

“It’s probably a bit of a change in the way they’ve operated,” he said.

“[The club] had such an experienced side, so for the experienced players now, they’ve got a new role to play in making the young guys feel at home, feel at ease and rack up a few games and feel comfortable.

“When young guys get in, they’re often just worried about getting a game but it’s going to be exciting to see a team build with so many new faces and see how they slot in.”

And Dew laughed off the thought that returning to the football environment might spark his competitive juices into attempting another comeback.

“Definitely not. I’ve left it all behind. I got lucky the second time, but enough’s enough,” he said.

“The time comes when you’ve got to move on and look for the next challenge and for me, this is where I’ve landed and I’m really enjoying it.”