With the news breaking that James Hird has coached his last game at the Essendon Bombers, so the search for the next coach begins. But who is available? And who’s the best fit?
More:
>> RYAN BUCKLAND: James Hird is gone, and he shouldn’t be the last
>> Essendon and James Hird press conference – live updates
>> The coach must always pay the price
Names that would be at the top of the list would be: Brendon Bolton, Stuart Dew, John Barker, Robert Harvey, Mark Harvey, John Worsfold, Michel Voss and Mark Thompson.
Straight off you can say Mark Thompson will not be coaching Essendon next year, there is too much pain and bitterness between the two parties.
Bolton or Barker will most likely be off the market by the end of the week, but who ever misses out would be high on the list for Essendon, you would think.
Worsfold still has not shown any interest in coaching at this point in time, but we have heard that from ex-coaches in the past. I think if he’s going to take the helm at any club this year, it would be the Crows.
Voss is an interesting one. He has indicated that he would not mind coaching again, but is he the right fit for Essendon? To me the answer is no. He comes with baggage of a failed time at the Brisbane Lions and is not the right fit.
Whichever way Essendon goes, I think it needs to be someone that has not been tainted by the problems of last three years. This would remove Mark Harvey from the running as he has been there this year.
The other name that I am sure will come up at some point will be Mick Malthouse. But perhaps his failures at Carlton are also too fresh in the memory.
So that leaves Barker, Bolton, Harvey and Dew. All would be new to a senior coaching position, but in a way that would suit the fresh start that Essendon needs after all that has happened.
I’m sure there are other coaches out there that could well fit the role, but going off what teams have been looking for over the last two years, one of either Brendon Bolton, Stuart Dew, John Barker or Robert Harvey would be the best fit for a team that is looking to be refreshed.
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