Essendon face a risk that Mark Thompson will leave the AFL club and coach somewhere else.
But the Bombers hope the dual premiership mentor will stay in some capacity, senior assistant coach Simon Goodwin says.
Former Geelong coach Thompson has been put in charge of the Bombers on a one-season deal while senior coach James Hird serves a 12-month ban for his role in Essendon’s use of supplements in 2012.
Hird’s ban ends on August 25 and the club great will spend the rest of the 2014 season planning for 2015, staying away from training sessions and games to avoid causing a distraction to the team’s finals campaign.
Hird will be busy behind the scenes working on the 2015 season, Goodwin said.
Goodwin told Channel Seven’s AFL Game Day program on Sunday that the Bombers were anxious to retain Thompson.
“Hopefully if he does stay in footy, he stays in footy at Essendon,” Goodwin said.
“All the players have loved having him coaching the team and we know what a great coach he is.
“So to have his experience at the club would be terrific and I know that’s what everyone wants.
“He is an important person to the Essendon footy club.”
Asked if the return of Hird meant Thompson could be snapped up by a rival club, Goodwin said: “Potentially.
“But he loves Essendon,” Goodwin said.
“He has really enjoyed this year.”
Essendon (10-8) face a battle to stay in the top eight following Friday’s loss to Sydney.
Richmond will host the Bombers in a huge clash at the MCG on Friday night.
Goodwin says skipper Jobe Watson, who suffered a hip injury in round 12 against Greater Western Sydney, could be back for the club’s round 21 game against West Coast on August 16.
“It’s a real possibility, especially the way he’s moving,” Goodwin said.
Essendon key defender Michael Hurley said 2012 Brownlow Medallist Watson has been looking fantastic on the track.
“He’s been able to get some good load in his training,” Hurley told AFL Game Day.
Watson told the program: “I’ve been able to train for six or seven weeks now and getting good training in.”
KenAgain
Guest
We would take him at Carlton in a heartbeat over that tired old Warhorse Malhouse
Jakarta Jeff
Guest
Essendon should break the one Senior coach mold and have 2 Senior Coaches as a partnership. Get the best of both.
Axle an the guru
Guest
STRAPPO where you been hiding?? Haha typical Collingwood man come out when the Woods have a win
Strapon1
Guest
Too many roosters in the hen house
Ash
Guest
Go to North Bomber where you did your coaching apprenticeship , two years time Scotty may be gone.
Cat
Roar Guru
I think it will all depend on whether Bomber has had his passion for coaching reignited or not. It's easier for him to do it this year knowing it's only for the year, the end is in sight, but will he be willing to saddle up to a 3-4 yr contract with another team? Dunno. I wouldn't be surprised if Thompson just decided he'd had enough of footy and left the game for a bit, he'd be an interesting personality to have in the media, give him BT's job if he wants it.
Mark
Guest
Bomber needs to be Essendons senior coach for 3 years. They would be fools to let him go.
andyl12
Guest
There is a striking similarity here with Colllingwood's infamous attempt to keep Mick Malthouse at the club despite giving his job to Nathan Buckley. Expect the similarity to be complete when Thompson leaves the club at year's end and Hird takes over only to take the club backwards. The only idea Hird ever had as coach was to inject the players, and now he thinks he has other ideas for taking the team forward. If I behaved that way in my job I'd have been sacked long ago!