Hawthorn premiership player Campbell Brown is predicting Alastair Clarkson to be the next coach of the Gold Coast Suns.
Current coach Stuart Dew is entering the final year of his contract, and after numerous disappointing seasons at the Suns, likely needs significant improvement from his list if he is any chance to remain on the Gold Coast.
It’s led to speculation Clarkson, who departed Hawthorn last year with four flags to his name, could be a prime candidate to take the job.
Brown is well-placed to comment on the situation, having played under Clarkson and alongside Dew, while he also played 46 games for the Suns late in his career.
When asked about the future of Clarkson on SEN’s Dwayne’s World, he was quick to respond.
“I think he’s going to coach the Gold Coast Suns,” Brown replied.
“I know there’s a lot of speculation and obviously Stuart Dew is the man for the job at the moment.
“I’ve heard some whispers that Nathan Buckley is leading the frontrunners in that regard, but to me, the logical choice would be Clarko (Clarkson), and it would give the Suns some real relevance if he went up there.
“Obviously they just had the welcome news about the re-singing of Ben King, that’s fantastic, and they’ve just got to keep the core together.
“But I think Clarko could do what he did when he first got to Hawthorn in 2005 and build that footy club into a really competitive side.”
Clarkson exited Hawthorn in messy fashion last year, appearing to be pushed as the club sought to give Sam Mitchell the reigns.
However, it didn’t tarnish his legacy as the most successful coach of the past two decades.
As Brown notes, there’s no doubt it would attract more eyeballs to the Suns, who, according to the Herald Sun, have just under 9,000 members, some 15,000 less than GWS in 17th.
Gold Coast present as one of the biggest potential problems for the AFL in the coming years, and Brown believes Clarkson could rectify this.
“In my head, he’s the best coach of a generation,” Brown continued.
“If he’s available, willing, putting his hand up and the money is right, then yes, yes you do (get him no matter what).
“Stuey Dew is a former premiership teammate of mine, he’s done a pretty good job with them considering they’ve been ravaged by injury over the last few years, but Alastair Clarkson is a generational coach.
“He knows what it’s like to build a side from nothing basically… he had to rebuild not just the facilities but the list (when he got to Hawthorn) and look what he did.
“I don’t think the Gold Coast Suns have had relevance since Gary Ablett left, they’re a side you keep your eye on, you see who’s playing well but you don’t really ever take a vested interest in them because you haven’t wanted to.
“Whereas if Alastair Clarkson is there, he gives the Suns some absolute relevance.”
Gold Coast has a tough first month in the upcoming season, however Dew will be hoping for consistent year as he pushes for a contract extension.