THE SYDNEY Swans won't stand in the way of assistant coach Stuart Dew joining Adelaide if the Crows decide to come calling.

Following Wednesday's shock sacking of Brenton Sanderson, Simon Goodwin and Dew were the two names linked with the now vacant Adelaide head coaching position.

Goodwin was considered a clear frontrunner, but Melbourne has acted quickly and secured the former Crows skipper as its senior assistant.

He will take over from Paul Roos at the end of 2016, with the Demons to hold a press conference confirming the news shortly.

Since Wednesday's news regarding Sanderson, the Crows have insisted they don't have an agreement in place for his replacement.

The only other name that has been linked to the job to date is Dew.

A former premiership winner from his playing days with Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, Dew was also linked with the senior assistant coaching role at Melbourne last year before choosing to remain in Sydney.

Swans coach John Longmire was asked about the possibility of Dew joining the Crows during his press conference on Thursday.

"He's doing a great job with us," Longmire said.

"We're really pleased with what he's doing and his role has developed again this year, which has been fantastic.

"His focus, as mine is, is purely on the preliminary final tomorrow night (against North Melbourne).

"What happens in the future will pan out down the track."

Last year, Dew signed a three-year contract extension to remain with the Swans, moving into a new role as strategy and midfield coach.

But Longmire said the Swans wouldn't stand in his way if he were offered a head coaching position.

"A senior coach is different to an assistant coach's role," he said.

Dew and the Swans are busy preparing for Friday night's preliminary final against North at ANZ Stadium.

Longmire was asked if any possible moves between Adelaide and Dew could be a disruption to their finals campaign.

"I don't deal too much with ifs, buts and maybes," Longmire said.

"I deal with what's actually happening. At the moment we're in a preliminary final. You handle things as they present themselves at the time.

"I'm really confident that all our coaching staff and all our players are focused on North Melbourne at the moment.

"What pans out down the track will pan out, but we just focus on the footy at the moment."

Drafted by the Power back in 1996, Dew retired at the end of 2009 having made 206 AFL appearances with Port and Hawthorn.

He joined the Swans as a development coach at the end of 2009 and has steadily increased his responsibilities at the club.

Asked if he felt Dew was ready for a head coaching role, Longmire said: "You're never quite sure when you're ready.

"Even when you're ready, you're not ready.

"Those things will pan out. He's doing a great job with us, he really knows what he's doing, he knows his football inside out.

"But once again he's completely focused, as are we, on tomorrow night."