AFL Rd 5 - Geelong v Gold Coast
GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 04: Suns head coach Stuart Dew speaks with his players during the round 5 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Gold Coast Suns at GMHBA Stadium on July 04, 2020 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

The Gold Coast Suns have locked away senior coach Stewart Dew for an extra two seasons, the club announced.

The new deal ties Dew to the Suns until at least the end of the 2022 campaign.

The 40-year old was thrilled to sign on with the club after turning their fortunes around this season.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be able to lead this team. I love the club and the playing group and want to be a part of writing our own history,” Dew told the club website.

“We have worked extremely hard over the past few years and hopefully our loyal members are starting to see that come to life both on and off field. We have high expectations for this group - and there is still a lot of hard work to do - but we are heading in the right direction.

“My message to our supporters is that we are doing everything we can to make the Suns a great football club and an integral part of the Gold Coast Community and I would love you to get onboard and sign up as a member and help us break our club membership record.”

Originally touted as wooden spoon favourites, Gold Coast are currently sitting ninth on the ladder at 3-3, with impressive victories over West Coast, Adelaide and Fremantle.

Dew's extension was nearly signed off earlier, however, the competition's COVID-19 lockdown caused it to be delayed.

Suns chairman Tony Cochrane was confident that Dew is the main to lead the club to their first premiership.

“We know that we have the right coach to lead this club to our first finals campaign and a premiership,” Cochrane said.

“He has done a fantastic job during a challenging first two years and everyone can see we are writing our own history and are playing exciting, hard-running footy.

“I always say that great footy clubs are all about great people and we have a rock solid standout in Stuart Dew.

“He has accepted the challenge of making this club great and the players, staff, supporters and corporate partners are right behind him.

“Like our coach, I am calling on all supporters to sign up as a Suns members and help us achieve a new record. The future is very bright and with our new $39 Shout-out membership there has never been a better time to get onboard and become a 2020 Suns member.”