Highly-rated Geelong assistant would take Carlton call

Highly-rated Geelong assistant James Rahilly would be open to looking at a senior coaching role if the opportunity arose.

The 90-game former Cat is part of Chris Scott’s coaching staff and is one of multiple names being thrown around as a candidate for the Carlton vacancy.

But have the Blues contacted him? And if not, would he take a phone call?

“I would always speak to them,” Rahilly said on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.

“In any role, whether it’s assistant coaching or senior coaching or management, you’d always look to see if that was a good fit for you.

“No one has contacted me as yet, I can tell you that. But you’re always looking at what’s on the horizon.”

Rahilly, 46, is one of several Cats assistant, including Nathan Buckley, Nigel Lappin and James Kelly, who could be in contention for senior roles.

He stopped short of saying he is after the Carlton job, but would certainly look at any possibility.

“It’s something you’ve got to think about when the time is right,” he added.

“Obviously when you’ve been in the caper for a while and had a bit of experience offers or opportunities do arise and you’re always very grateful for them.

“I suppose it’s what fits you at the time, whether it’s Nigel, James Kelly and obviously Nathan Buckley with his great experience. We’re very lucky to have the coaches we have.

“I’m still enjoying the challenge of Geelong, living in Jan Juc and travelling to Geelong. I’m very happy.”

Given Buckley’s name continues to pop up alongside the Tasmania Devils job, is Rahilly comfortable speaking about roles at other clubs?

He insists it’s no issue, especially with Scott, who championed Steven King in his application process for the Melbourne job last year.

“Scotty has always pushed that,” Rahilly said.

“That’s happened in the past. We experienced it with Kingy going through the finals last year when he actually got the job. We were rapt he continued to coach.

“Scotty is very supportive.”

Rahilly has been back at the Cattery since the end of 2023 having spent three seasons as forwards coach at the Adelaide Crows. He won the AFLCA Assistant Coach of the Year award in his final year at the Crows.

Prior to his stint in Adelaide, Rahilly spent a decade in various coaching roles with the Cats.