Caroline Wilson is expecting Collingwood to approach Mark Williams about the coaching vacancy.
The Magpies are on the hunt for a replacement for Nathan Buckley with a number of names being linked with the top job at the Holden Centre.
Port Adelaide premiership coach Williams has been linked from the start, but Wilson believes the sub-committee tasked with finding the new coach have him “squarely” in their sights.
“I didn’t think (Williams) was key in their thinking, but now I’m hearing that Paul Licuria, who with Peter Murphy seems to be running this process, is looking very squarely at Mark Williams to at least be a candidate to talk to for the Collingwood job,” Wilson said on Channel 9’s Footy Classified.
“I don't know if conversations have even been had yet, all I know is this is very much a moving story at the moment.
“Mark Williams will be approached, that’s all I know. (He is a genuine contender) is what I’m hearing, but there are a lot of genuine contenders.”
Williams, who is currently impressing in his head of development role at Melbourne, would be an ideal candidate for the Magpies.
That is according to Kane Cornes, who played under him at the Power, and sees it as a “bold” and “inspired” move by the black and white.
“It’s a bold move, it’s a brave move and I love it,” Cornes said.
“I think what Chris Fagan has done at Brisbane would endorse for what (Williams) could do, I think he could play a similar role.
“I was fortunate enough to catch up with him during the week and we didn’t speak about that, but he is as happy and as healthy (as ever). He looks good, he looks rejuvenated and I think he’d do a great job.
“For a young developing group like Collingwood needs to be, I think it would be an inspired move.”
It is understood that former Hawthorn midfielder Sam Mitchell has withdrawn from the race for the Pies job, while names such as Ross Lyon, Brad Scott and Don Pyke have all been loosely linked.
Robert Harvey holds the reins on an interim basis for the remainder of the 2021 season.