Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir believes Dockers assistant Jaymie Graham has what it takes to step into a head coaching role.
Graham joined Fremantle last off-season from West Coast as the club’s forward line assistant coach and played 37 games for the Eagles from 2005 to 2008.
The 39-year-old began his coaching journey with St Kilda in 2012 in a development role before taking over as head coach at East Perth in 2016 which led to joining the Eagles in 2017.
With a decade of experience under his belt, Longmuir believes Graham is “absolutely” ready to step into a top job at AFL level if the right opportunity presents itself.
“I think he is (ready), absolutely,” Longmuir said on Sportsday.
“He’s a really mature person, he’s had some really good experiences across his playing and coaching career that make him a good coach.
“From my end, he is ready to go, he’s a bit like me when I was in that situation that you just have to wait for the right opportunity to present itself.
“But he’s got my backing if he wishes to explore any of those options.”
Graham is said to have narrowly missed out on the Collingwood role last year as Craig McRae landed the job.
The Kalgoorlie product may be considered for the vacant Essendon role if they include assistants in their search with the likes of Adem Yze and Daniel Giansiracusa also potential options.
Graham’s focus is set on Fremantle’s finals campaign as the Dockers take on Collingwood in a do-or-die Semi-Final at the MCG on Saturday night.