The Gold Coast SUNS have today added George Stone and Shaun Hart to its coaching panel and have elevated Dean Solomon to the positon of senior assistant coach.

Stone will join the club as coaching advisor, reuniting him with newly appointed coach Stuart Dew, who was mentored by Stone at the Sydney Swans.

Stone has more than 30 years of VFL/AFL experience having worked with three clubs, Hawthorn, Sydney and Melbourne, and has been involved in six premierships – 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1991 with the Hawks and 2005 and 2012 with the Swans.

Hart, a triple premiership player and Norm Smith Medallist with the Brisbane Lions originally joined the GC SUNS in November 2008 as an assistant coach. He has spent the last four seasons with Port Adelaide and returns to the club as Head of Development.

Solomon’s elevation to the role of senior assistant coach comes after he coached the GC SUNS in the final three matches of the 2017 season. 

GC SUNS Chief Executive Mark Evans welcomed both Stone & Hart to the club.

“The club is thrilled to welcome the experience and expertise of George Stone and Shaun Hart,” Evans said.

“George is a successful coach and he and Stuart have a great relationship. He will play an important role supporting Stuart and our coaches. 

“Shaun has a strong history with the club, many who have worked with him in the past speak so highly of him and we are delighted to welcome him back to the Gold Coast.”

Evans also confirmed that assistant coaches Ashley Prescott, Andy Lovell and Matthew Primus have had their contracts extended.