STUART Dew has been one of the standout performers in the AFL's Level Four coaching course thanks to the expanded duties he was given by the Sydney Swans last year.
Dew was promoted to John Longmire's senior assistant when Melbourne tried to poach him to be Paul Roos's successor at the end of 2013, one year before he came out of contract.
His role now is described by the Swans as a "coordinator of the assistant coaches", giving him valuable experience he has used in the Level Four course as it moves into a new phase after three months.
It is understood Dew has been one of the most impressive performers in the accreditation program, which saw all nine members come together in Melbourne earlier this month for a two-day workshop.
Their first morning was spent with AFL CEO Gill McLachlan and football operations manager Mark Evans to discuss high-level leadership and other issues facing the AFL industry, including the fixture.
The coaches then visited the Fox Sports studios to take part in mock press conferences and 'doorstop' interviews, conducted by commentator and presenter Anthony Hudson, who tutored the coaches on the media's role in the game.
Other topics covered over the two days were strategic communication, brand, alignment of key staff, athlete motivation and leadership in community football.
Sessions were run by AFL executive Dorothy Hisgrove and Olympic and world championship sprint coach Cliff Mallett.
Dew is being mentored by West Coast premiership coach John Worsfold as part of the course, which has been running since the end of March.
Other coaches in the course include Brendan Bolton (Hawthorn), Simon Lloyd (Fremantle), Blake Caracella (Geelong), Robert Harvey (Collingwood), Adam Kingsley (St Kilda) and Matthew Nicks (Port Adelaide).
Melbourne successor Simon Goodwin is also in the course, while Carlton interim coach John Barker is continuing in the program since taking on increased duties with the Blues.
All coaches spent the first three months of the course working with their individual mentors –John Buchanan, Ric Charlesworth, Neale Daniher and Worsfold –through a tailored learning plan.
They were also tasked with designing their ideal football department in the context of the non-player expenditure cap.
Sydney Swans football manager Tom Harley said the theory of the Level Four course complemented what Dew had taken on in his expanded role supporting John Longmire.
"The role being structured as it is, there is an opportunity for Stuart to pick up some broader skills, like coordination and management skills," Harley told AFL.com.au.
"He doesn't coordinate on match day, but he certainly plays a lead role during the week in the planning and coordination … that's one of the gaps when you go from an assistant coach to a senior coach.
"That's part of the idea of having a senior [assistant] role, to provide Stuart with those opportunities, and we're certainly seeing some benefits from having him in the role."
Dew will continue to work with Worsfold through the program. The next Level Four workshops, in October, will include sessions with national soccer coach Ange Postecoglou and former world champion Australian Opals basketball coach Jan Stirling.
