North Melbourne Chairman Ben Buckley has commented on the departure of Rhyce Shaw from the football club.
Shaw stepped away from the Roos for personal reasons last week and will now step down as senior coach effective immediately.
Buckley said their immediate goal now is to put together a panel that will select their next coach.
“We’ve been planning over the last week or so for some contingencies and scenarios as to what might eventuate. The guys have started to turning their mind to what that might look like,” he told SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“A coaching panel will be established and we are moving quickly towards establishing that panel. We’ve thought about the certain skillsets and capabilities and types of people that should be on that panel and we’ll hopefully be in a position to announce that in the next couple of days.
“We’ll move as quickly as possible, but the key thing about this is to get it right and while the players will be assembling some time in early December, the key is to get the decision right and work through the process with the selection panel over the next few weeks.
“Pleasingly, we’ve been able to secure John Blakey who has joined our couaching ranks and there’s nothing John hasn’t seen in the game, he’s a fantastic North Melbourne person and most importantly he’s worked with Brisbane during their successful era, he’s been with the Sydney Swans during an incredible period for that club.
“Along with Gavin Brown and others, they’ll form the backbone in the interim period as we move to make an appointment.”
While an experienced coach is the direction they are leaning towards, Buckley said they would leave no stone unturned.
“We won’t be ruling anyone in or anyone out based on age or experience or anything. I think we’ll be going through the process, looking at all available opportunities, and then make the best decision,” he said.
“It’s too early to determine what that person would look like. We’ve drawn up a list of key characteristics and a list of criteria we would like to see from the senior coach, but experience is one of those factors clearly, but experience can come in many different ways.
“We’ll get the best available person.”
Paul Roos has been heavily linked with the Kangaroos in a senior assistant or advisory role, but Buckley refused to comment on that situation.
“We’re not in a position to make any announcements today, today is about letting our supporters know where things are at and acknowledging the fantastic contribution Rhyce made to North Melbourne,” he said.
“We’ll make some announcements in the next days and weeks.”
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