Former Swans coach on list of Carlton candidates

Carlton has established a list of coaching candidates it wants to speak to about its vacant coaching position.

The group includes long-time assistant coaches currently in jobs like Hayden Skipworth and Daniel Giansiracusa and well-credentialled former coaches like John Longmire.

The Blues are yet to contact any prospective coach, but are the most advanced of the three clubs currently in the coaching market.

Essendon isn’t expected to establish its criteria or what characteristics it wants in its next senior coach until after its Round 15 bye.

The priority for the Bombers is settling its interim coaching group under caretaker Dean Solomon after Brad Scott loyalists Ben Jacobs and psychologist Ben Robbins quit the day before the team flew out to play West Coast.

The Tasmania Devils maintain they will not be rushed by the presence of the Blues and Bombers in the market and aren’t close to making a decision on their inaugural leader.

Chief executive Brendon Gale has had talks with Ken Hinkley, but those discussions centred around non-coaching roles given Hinkley’s experience with Gold Coast’s entry into the AFL.

Nathan Buckley, meanwhile, remains a leading contender. But, for now, the Devils are trying to tempt players for their debut 2028 season without a figurehead.

Blues chief executive Graham Wright, general manager of football Chris Davies, president Rob Priestley and consultant Adam Simpson have been entrusted with appointing Carlton’s next senior coach.

The Blues have said they will “draw on individuals with demonstrated success, recent experience within elite environments and a strong understanding of the breadth of responsibilities expected of a modern senior coach.”

Simpson has moved to clarify his intent, with the premiership coach stating he is not interested in the Essendon job – or any job – in the short to medium term.