West Coast premiership coach John Worsfold has confirmed he wants to return to AFL senior coaching at Essendon.
The news comes a day after Adelaide announced Worsfold would soon leave the club.
He is the outright favourite to be the Bombers’ next senior coach.
Worsfold, who coached West Coast to the 2006 premiership, had been temporary football director at the Crows since the July 3 death of their coach Phil Walsh.
After saying he was not interested in a return to senior coaching, Worsfold revealed late last month that he had changed his mind.
And on Wednesday, Worsfold said that he wanted to coach the Bombers.
“It took getting back into footy to realise I’m kidding myself – I think I know what I really love doing,” he told the Seven Network.
“It feels like it’s what I should be doing.
“For that to be a coaching role at Essendon, obviously I have to show them that I have the energy, the hunger and the ability to fulfil what they’re looking for.”
It is understood that Essendon’s coaching sub-committee will meet with Worsfold by the end of the week.
“I’ve been given a brief on what I’m expected to present, as the other (candidates) will,” he said.
“They don’t really know me yet.
“They might know of me, but they really need to hear from me what I’m all about.
Worsfold’s initial about-face on senior coaching prompted Essendon to send a high-level club delegation to Adelaide for a meeting with him.
But the Bombers have strongly denied persistent speculation that they offered Worsfold a five-year deal.
Worsfold stepped aside from his role as AFL Coaches Association chairman during his time at the Crows.
“John’s decision to explore the Bombers role comes after his three-month stint at Adelaide, during which time he whetted his appetite for life as an AFL coach,” coaches association chief executive Mark Brayshaw said in a statement.
“We wish him well as he meets with Essendon and, if he decides to formally apply for the role, we would wholeheartedly endorse his application.”
Worsfold is West Coast’s longest-serving senior coach after being in charge from 2002-13.
Claude Bottom
Guest
Tish boom !
Anonymous
Roar Pro
jax your love affair with Worsfold sounds as strong as McAvaneys with Rioli. Did you get excited writing that about him? “There is not a better person in the country to turn that club around”. How are qualified to make a statement like that? And you can’t really say the Eagles had the best culture when he was at the helm.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I'd rather have that Win Wun Soon guy that was doing the rounds on facebook this year than Leppa.
jax
Guest
Would you rather Leppa or Woosha at the Lions? He'd fix your club and your board pretty quickly don't worry about that. Woosh was guilty of naivety by believing some of his players when he asked them directly. Judd say he's the most honest man in Australia. Parkin said you will never wish to meet a more impressive individual. That's pretty big praise and there are many more of them, I hope he goes in, sets the programs etc up for them and hands it over to someone else. He's one the best leaders of men in the country. There is not a better person in the country to turn that club around. He will keep the board and management accountable, on-track and in line and the players will work their butt off for him just you wait and see. He was the heart and soul of WC and still is in many respects. With the help of others he practically built that club from nothing. They will be lucky to get him. .
Axle an the Guru
Guest
I think he will be good for Essendon.
AREH
Roar Guru
What Worsfold's players may have done off the field is rather out of his hands, not a lot he can do. Also, does anyone actually know definitively that Worsfold himself did anything wrong in that regard?
Paul D
Roar Guru
Well, at least he brings plenty of experience coaching a club with a drug culture.
Franko
Guest
The Camry Crows would be mad to let him go, especially as Campo goes back to being an assistant.