Paul Roos
A clear favourite for the position as most presume the Lions would not have moved on Voss without having an idea of his replacement. Although the 2005 Sydney Swans premiership coach has continually said he is not interested in returning to coaching, the prospect of a gig with a club that has nearly completed its post-premiership transition in a non-traditional football state might be attractive to Roos. His ability to create a strong playing culture and sell the club is exactly what the Lions need. And he is also an ex-Fitzroy champion so he would appeal to the Melbourne based Lions' supporters who are too often overlooked.
Rodney Eade
The coaching fire still burns in Eade and AFL.com.au understands he will be interviewed for the Melbourne job this week. Eade recently assumed a much bigger role at Collingwood after the departure of football manager Geoff Walsh. Didn’t land a flag at either the Swans or the Western Bulldogs as coach, but his work at both clubs was elite. Can coach a club to play an exciting brand of football and understands how to operate in a non-traditional football state.
New coach must be better than Voss: Lynch
Mark Harvey
Harvey coached Fremantle for four years before his shock sacking at the end of 2011, ending his tenure with a 40 percent win record. He joined Michael Voss as an assistant at the Lions and maintained a relatively low profile as he worked away in the background. Likely to be the Lions' interim coach for the final three rounds and could be a candidate if Roos is not interested.
Mark Harvey (r) has worked alongside Michael Voss since 2012. Picture: AFL Media
Adam Simpson
Has earned a strong reputation as a coach-in-waiting after a stellar playing career at North Melbourne, where he captained the club. Since his retirement in 2009, he has been the midfield coach at Hawthorn. Often touted when coaching vacancies appear, he is a clear thinker and calm under pressure.
Adam Simpson, pictured during Hawthorn's 2013 pre-season, is a highly rated assistant coach. Picture: AFL Media
Scott Burns
The former Collingwood skipper has spent five years at the West Coast Eagles since retiring from the Magpies at the end of 2008. He was a fierce competitor at Collingwood and has earned respect for his ability to cut the chase with precise and pointed language.
Dean Laidley
Seemed to back away from pursuing a senior coaching role on Monday after his name was touted in relation to Melbourne a fortnight ago. Laidley has spent the past two seasons as a senior assistant alongside Scott Watters at St Kilda. The former North Melbourne premiership player coached the Roos for 149 games over seven seasons. He ended with a 49 percent success rate after taking the club into three finals series.
Mark Williams
Port Adelaide's 2004 premiership coach is now happily ensconced at Richmond as development coach and match-day boundary rider, but would be an intriguing choice for the Lions. Williams is managed by Alastair Lynch's company, Velocity Sports, which has strong ties to the Lions. Williams' strong desire to coach a Melbourne-based club would make him more likely to chase the Demons gig.
Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams is a strong chance to rejoin the AFL coaching ranks in 2014. Picture: AFL Media
Neil Craig
Two disastrous years at Melbourne have damaged his brand ever so slightly but the former Adelaide senior coach still has serious credentials to be in charge of an AFL club. Craig coached Adelaide for six completed seasons and made the finals in five of those seasons. He has twice been an interim coach, taking over as caretaker coach at Melbourne in round 12 this season.
Mark Harvey
Harvey coached Fremantle for four years before his shock sacking at the end of 2011, ending his tenure with a 40 percent win record. He joined Michael Voss as an assistant at the Lions and maintained a relatively low profile as he worked away in the background. Likely to be the Lions' interim coach for the final three rounds and could be a candidate if Roos is not interested.
Mark Harvey (r) has worked alongside Michael Voss since 2012. Picture: AFL Media
Adam Simpson
Has earned a strong reputation as a coach-in-waiting after a stellar playing career at North Melbourne, where he captained the club. Since his retirement in 2009, he has been the midfield coach at Hawthorn. Often touted when coaching vacancies appear, he is a clear thinker and calm under pressure.
Adam Simpson, pictured during Hawthorn's 2013 pre-season, is a highly rated assistant coach. Picture: AFL Media
Scott Burns
The former Collingwood skipper has spent five years at the West Coast Eagles since retiring from the Magpies at the end of 2008. He was a fierce competitor at Collingwood and has earned respect for his ability to cut the chase with precise and pointed language.
Dean Laidley
Seemed to back away from pursuing a senior coaching role on Monday after his name was touted in relation to Melbourne a fortnight ago. Laidley has spent the past two seasons as a senior assistant alongside Scott Watters at St Kilda. The former North Melbourne premiership player coached the Roos for 149 games over seven seasons. He ended with a 49 percent success rate after taking the club into three finals series.
Mark Williams
Port Adelaide's 2004 premiership coach is now happily ensconced at Richmond as development coach and match-day boundary rider, but would be an intriguing choice for the Lions. Williams is managed by Alastair Lynch's company, Velocity Sports, which has strong ties to the Lions. Williams' strong desire to coach a Melbourne-based club would make him more likely to chase the Demons gig.
Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams is a strong chance to rejoin the AFL coaching ranks in 2014. Picture: AFL Media
Neil Craig
Two disastrous years at Melbourne have damaged his brand ever so slightly but the former Adelaide senior coach still has serious credentials to be in charge of an AFL club. Craig coached Adelaide for six completed seasons and made the finals in five of those seasons. He has twice been an interim coach, taking over as caretaker coach at Melbourne in round 12 this season.
