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If suspended, Franklin will miss the Swans’ match on Saturday night against the league-leading Demons at the MCG.
Suns rising, along with Dew’s contract hopes
By Jon Pierik
Gold Coast chairman Tony Cochrane is excited by the progress made by his team this season, strengthening Stuart Dew’s hopes for a contract extension.
The Suns, with a 5-6 win-loss record but having won three of their past four, are only a game outside the top eight. They have a favourable fixture ahead in their bid to make the finals for the first time in club history.
Dew, 42, is in his fifth season, and his position has been in the spotlight, particularly with Alastair Clarkson in the market for a new job. However, the Suns, including chief executive Mark Evans, have indicated that if Dew’s team is alive come September, a contract extension is likely.
Stuart Dew has been under pressure this season but will be hard to dislodge should he guide the Suns into the finals.Credit:Getty Images
“As Mark and I said back in February, we are not going to give a running commentary on our coach – good results, bad results or anything in between,” Cochrane told The Age on Monday.
“What our board and CEO are ensuring is that we are going to let Stuey keep developing our group and watch the exciting progress. We all are as one at the Gold Coast Suns. Nothing has changed, nor will it.”
Evans, speaking before Saturday night’s win over Hawthorn in Darwin, indicated a finals berth would keep Dew safe.
“We know that we want to improve as a club and give ourselves a chance to play finals. And, if we do that, contracts look after themselves,” Evans told Channel Seven.
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Dew has won only 24 of his 94 matches in charge, but there has been greater toughness and connection among the team this season. Recruits Mabior Chol and Levi Casboult have prospered up forward even despite Ben King’s season-ending knee injury.
The Suns should be buoyed by their favourable fixture, although this could also sink Dew should they struggle. They play just three of the current top eight teams in their remaining games.
They also have North Melbourne this weekend, again at TIO Stadium, and a return clash against the Kangaroos in round 23, the Crows immediately after the mid-season bye, while they have West Coast and the Hawks again in the final month of the season.
Dew said earlier this month he was growing in confidence that he would be awarded a new deal.
“Yeah, look I am, is the short answer and probably the only answer I need to give because that’s how I feel,” he said.
“I’m a bit like the players, I’m getting towards that 80 to 100-game mark. I feel really comfortable in my own skin and in and around the group.”
Four-time premiership coach Clarkson has tempered his intentions recently. Having declared on the day Leon Cameron parted ways with GWS that a stint with NBA franchise Golden State Warriors had re-energised his coaching appetite, Clarkson said last week he had yet to determine his plans for 2023 and beyond.
Matera suffers heart attack
By Peter de Kruijff
West Coast premiership player Peter Matera has suffered a heart attack and is recovering in a hospital in Bendigo after the incident on Sunday.
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The 53-year-old, who played 253 games for the Eagles, has been living in Victoria for the past four years.
His brother Phil, who also played for West Coast, is set to fly east from Perth to be by his side.
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