“Tactically number one”: The ball movement specialist on Blues' radar

Carlton will meet with six assistant coaches as they continue the hunt for a new senior coach.

After Michael Voss' departure, interim coach Josh Fraser has taken to the role superbly, winning six straight games to elevate the Blues from a cellar dweller to a potential wildcard contender.

However, Fraser has maintained his belief that despite his flawless record, he will not put himself forward for the full-time role.

A list of six assistants that the Blues will meet with was reported by 7AFL's Mitch Cleary on Monday night as they weigh up the best option to lead the club forward.

SEN's Tom Morris provided some further background on the sextet, bringing up an interesting wrinkle regarding one candidate in particular.

“It’s hard to say who the frontrunner is,” Morris said on SEN Breakfast.

Jaymie Graham (Fremantle)

“Jaymie Graham is a bit ‘out of sight, out of mind’ in Perth, first with the Eagles and now Fremantle.

“He went for the Collingwood job which Craig McRae eventually got. He was in the final three, it was McRae, Adam Kingsley and Graham.

“The disadvantage that Graham had was that he had to do his final interview over Zoom because of COVID at the time. People who know him and know the situation tell me that was a disadvantage.

“I think Graham Wright really liked him (when he was in charge at Collingwood) but McRae and Kingsley were the final two. McRae got the gig, then Kingsley got the Giants job.

“Wright is now the CEO at Carlton so it’s no surprise to me that he’s on the shortlist.”

James Kelly (Geelong)

“James Kelly is someone who will be spoken to by Essendon as well.

“He’s been at Geelong since the end of 2021. He’s really well respected across the industry.

“No surprise he’s part of the Carlton process. I think he’s a senior coach one day, it’s just whether it happens soon.”

Brendon Lade (Western Bulldogs)

“He’s had prominent roles at both the Dogs and St Kilda.

“He was in for the Melbourne job last year which Steven King eventually got. He presented well, I’m told, but King just blew them away.

“He was also in for the Essendon gig which Brad Scott got a few years ago.

“Lade has ambitions to be a senior coach one day. People at the Dogs rave about him.

“Whenever you speak to anyone at the Dogs they say make sure to talk up Brendon Lade because he is a senior coach-in-waiting.”

James Rahilly (Geelong)

“He was the AFLCA assistant coach of the year in 2023.

“He had three years at Adelaide and Geelong before that, now he’s back at Geelong.

“Of this list, to me, he’s tactically number one. Strategically he’s seen as an absolute gun in terms of ball movement.

“Rahilly is one to watch, if not now, then a little bit down the track.”

Corey Enright (St Kilda)

“It would blow St Kilda up because he is seen as the successor to Ross Lyon. They love him at St Kilda.

“Well, maybe that’s hyperbole, but they’d like to keep him.”

Daniel Giansiracusa (Hawthorn)

“He was the assistant coach of the year in 2020.

“He had a two-year deal on the table from Essendon last year when he went for the job at Melbourne.

“Missed the job at Melbourne, stayed at Essendon for a little bit and was given the feedback that he probably needs to get out of the Bombers and get to another environment in order to get a senior gig somewhere.

“He went to Hawthorn, because it was report that Collingwood were into him. He’s head of development at the Hawks.”

This group of six are the only prospects confirmed up to this stage, with a deeper search involving further prospects expected.

The likes of John Longmire and to a much lesser extent, Ken Hinkley, could still play a part in the process.

Morris believes Sydney premiership coach Longmire is much more likely to pursue the Blues vacancy than Hinkley.

“I’d still be surprised if Hinkley fit into the Carlton gig. That’s more Tasmania and Essendon,” he added.

“Longmire is red hot. It’s just what Carlton are looking for.

“If the interview process is, let’s say three stages, Longmire would come in at the third stage.

“But he still has to sit down and present his vision to the club.”