DEVELOPMENT coach Stuart Dew has been appointed to the role of assistant coach with the Sydney Swans.

Dew, a premiership player with Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, has impressed at the Swans since he joined in a development role in late 2009.

Sydney Swans coach John Longmire said he had earmarked Dew for a more senior role as part of his planning for the Club's future.

"Stuart is someone I knew I wanted to have as an assistant on our Club's coaching team,'' Longmire said.

Dew will move into the assistant coaching position vacated by Peter Berbakov, who is leaving to take a coaching role at the St Kilda Football Club.

Longmire said Dew would be a real asset to the senior coaching panel.

"Stuart has played in two premierships and experienced quality cultures at both the Port Adelaide and Hawthorn Football Clubs,'' Longmire said.

"He only retired from playing last year, so he has a thorough understanding of the way the game is currently played.

"His work with the younger players on our list has been really impressive and a number of them have been elevated from the Reserves to play senior football this season,'' Longmire said.

Dew said he was looking forward to taking on the new role.

"There is an exciting list at the Swans, with a great blend of experience and youth, and I feel the Club has a promising future,'' Dew said.

The Club wishes to acknowledge the contribution made by Peter Berbakov, who joined the Club in 2004 in a conditioning and IT role.

In 2007 he was appointed as an assistant coach, and has been responsible for the team's defenders.

"We want to thank Peter for his work and wish him all the best for the future,'' Longmire said.