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.
Wilson
Roar Guru
well with 20 player out of contract they have the money for next year and AFL Can't take COLA off Ess
Wilson
Roar Guru
Robert Harvey not Not Mark
Penster
Guest
He's used to booing so yes and Hird to Carlton, perfect fit. Hawthorn must be close to running out of assistant coaches.
Don Freo
Guest
Things seem to be getting a bit stale up there. Mutual parting? He could bring Buddy and Tippett with him.
Wilson
Roar Guru
Longmire has not been involved with the Essendon club over the last 3 year so is not tainted by any of the problems so he would fit in well, I like the Idea but would swans let him go or would he want to leave Sydney, a
Don Freo
Guest
Someone without AFL cred would be a disaster for a club that has to go through at least the next 3 years as a basket case. Fans would be baying for blood in no time. I reckon it's time for John Longmire and Sydney to part. He'd be such a steady hand at Essendon.
magpiemaniac
Guest
re: "So that leaves Barker, Bolton, Harvey and Dew. All would be new to a senior coaching position,.." err ..Harvey had four years as senior coach at Fremantle, before the Ross Lyon coup and subsequent appt. as Assist coach to Brisbane!
Wilson
Roar Guru
Have heard Simon Lloyd name a little bit but not as much as the others but unsure what the WA Media have been saying.
Wilson
Roar Guru
I think by at least the end of next week if not this week will see the naming of Carlton Coach. Crows I think it will not be done till end of H&A season or if they make the finals after they lose there.
Balthazar
Guest
Actually, I'd suggest the most obvious one would be Simon Lloyd. Family ties to the club, background in applied psychology... Whether he'd want it is another thing.
Beau
Guest
I wonder if this will force Carlton and Adelaide to fasttrack their coaching assesments, i would think bolton is in the box seat for the carlton job. what about peter sumich or brett montgomery?