Both Garry Lyon and Tim Watson are hearing the same name in assistant coaching circles that could be in the mix for upcoming senior vacancies.
The job at Richmond, currently held by caretaker Andrew McQualter, is one that will be highly sought after as the year progresses.
The Tigers are expected to do their due diligence in their quest to fill the gaping hole left by the departure of triple premiership coach Damien Hardwick, with all the usual suspects likely to apply for the job.
Regulars such as Adem Yze, Jaymie Graham, Scott Burns, Robert Harvey, Blake Caracella, Justin Leppitsch and Daniel Giansiracusa are frequently linked with senior vacancies, but there is a fresh name that has emerged.
Lyon and Watson conversed on SEN Breakfast about a current Collingwood assistant who could be in the mix for the key Punt Road role.
“Richmond are ramping up their search for a coach,” Lyon teased.
“You (Watson) said this earlier this morning, you said you heard a name that had either been whispered in your ear, and I said at the same time that I too have heard one.
“All the normal suspects are going to get trotted out as should be the case, all the coaches that have been around.
“I’m sure they’ll spread the net really wide and Andrew McQualter is going to be part of this process.”
The name being floated is that of former Adelaide and Essendon player Hayden Skipworth who has been with the Magpies since late 2019.
Watson chimed in: “I’ll go with my name first.
“This guy has been around a while, so he fits that criteria of somebody who has invested in the game for a period of time, he played at the highest level, played for Adelaide, played at Essendon, was an assistant coach there for a while, and he’s gone to Collingwood - Hayden Skipworth.”
Lyon responded: “Same bloke, Hayden Skipworth.”
Watson added: “I hear great things about him. He’s a very engaging personality.”
Lyon is of the belief that any club looking for a new coach would be derelict in their duties not to consider holding talks with 40-year-old Skipworth.
“There’s a lot of good people at Collingwood and Craig McRae deserves all the credit, (Justin) Leppitsch gets lots of credit, (Brendon) Bolton gets (credit),” Lyon added.
“I hear Skipworth has been enormous and that anyone not going down this path would be negligent.
“Isn’t that amazing.”
Watson continued: “I don’t know if he’s got his sign - ‘Ready to coach’ - up outside or not, maybe he thinks he needs a bit more experience.
“But his name has come through.”
Lyon also threw up the name of Adelaide assistant Nathan Van Berlo, while insisting we must watch the space regarding Skipworth and a potential senior job.
“I’ve got one more name too - Nathan Van Berlo,” he added.
“Doing extraordinary work over there with Matthew Nicks.
“But we’ve both heard the name Skipworth. Watch this space.”
Skipworth has previously spent time as a development coach at Essendon, coached the club’s VFL team and was both the forward line and midfield coach for the Bombers.
He was added to Nathan Buckley’s coaching staff at Collingwood in late 2020 following 12 months as Head of Academy at the Magpies, and remained with the club after Craig McRae took over in 2021.