Dual North Melbourne premiership player and former captain, he has been at Hawthorn as an assistant coach since 2010. A down-to-earth character he wins respect and rapport easily. Remains in line for senior jobs elsewhere but would be primed in two years under Roos.

 

Has been a coach-in-waiting for many seasons and has been wonderful support to Ken Hinkley at Port Adelaide as director of coaching and strategy. Has a great football brain and is a laidback character.

 

The triple premiership player at the Brisbane Lions has been an assistant coach at his former club and at Richmond. He has turned the Tigers defence into a miserly outfit.

 

Has admirers at Melbourne due to his Port Adelaide premiership experience and has been a successful midfield coach at the Tigers. Lends an earthy credibility to any environment.

 

The former North Melbourne and Geelong player has been mentioned as a potential AFL coach in recent weeks, and has been regarded as a key to the recent successes of both St Kilda and the Sydney Swans. Tudor has also coached in his own right, guiding the Western Jets in the TAC Cup under-18 competition in 2004 and taking Geelong's VFL side to a premiership in 2007.

 

In his four years at West Coast, the former Collingwood skipper has impressed as a midfield coach, particularly with his intimate knowledge of stoppages. Appears a certain coach in waiting, but may be tempted by senior jobs at West Coast and the Lions.

 

A two-time premiership full-forward with West Coast, Sumich spent 11 years as an assistant coach with the Eagles before joining Fremantle as a forward coach at the end of 2011 when Ross Lyon took over from Mark Harvey. His name always seems to be raised when coaching jobs become vacant.

 

The Essendon premiership defender has served a varied apprenticeship, with his resume featuring assistant coaching roles at the Western Bulldogs (two years) and Melbourne (three) before rejoining the Bombers as their defensive mentor at the end of 2010.

 

A triple-premiership player with the Brisbane Lions and one of Greater Western Sydney's inaugural co-captains in 2012, Power was a key teacher of the Giants' young list and stayed on their defensive coach this season.

 

The well-travelled former midfielder has an extensive coaching background, having served two stints at Collingwood, first as a development coach and later as the Pies midfield coach, along with assistant roles at both Geelong and the Brisbane Lions. He has been with the Lions since the end of 2007.

 

Few more people in football are more highly respected than Lappin. He seems to have found his niche at Geelong in a development role. Hard worker and players trust him implicitly.

 

Ling retired after leading Geelong to the 2011 premiership, his third as a player. He has worked in the media for two years. Has great personal qualities and views on the game.

 

Recently signed a contract extension as an assistant to Brenton Sanderson at Adelaide. Fits the Melbourne profile in that he has premiership experience (twice) and is an experienced senior assistant – Bickley coached the Crows for six games at the end of 2011 and wanted the senior job with the club before they went with Sanderson.

 

The former Adelaide defender has developed a strong reputation since taking over the coaching position at SANFL club Norwood, which he took to a Grand Final in his first season of 2010 and a premiership last year. He now has the Redlegs entering the finals after finishing four games clear atop the ladder.

 

The former Carlton coach says he has enjoyed working alongside Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn and is unsure whether he'd want another crack at senior coaching. Hard to see him playing understudy to Roos for at least two years.

 

Won two best and fairests at the Swans during Ross' time as coach. Was also chosen by Roos to captain the club. In his first year as an assistant coach, it's hard to see Captain Kirk becoming Coach Kirk so quickly.

 

The former North Melbourne coach always gets brought up when vacancies occur. Like Ratten, it is hard to see Laidley wanting to spend two years as an understudy.

 

Worked with Roos at the Swans, where he remains and is likely to stay. Two-time premiership player at North Melbourne, Blakey has tasted off-field success at the Brisbane Lions and the Swans. Played 359 games. Is highly rated. Wouldn't be the worst choice.

 

Former teammate and premiership pupil of Roos who has won rave reviews as coach of the AIS-AFL Academy. Has already been sounded out by clubs for assistant roles and will be on Roos' radar. His next task will be to coach the Indigenous All Stars team in October.

 

Has already been linked to a development role with the Demons. Unlikely to be in the mix for the senior assistant's job, but likely to be in the red and blue next season.

James McDonald
The former Melbourne skipper is an assistant coach at Greater Western Sydney. AFL.com.au understands that's where he is likely to stay.

Was keen on the job before it was given to Roos. Will be in the mix at the Lions. You'd have to think he's unlikely to want to wait another two seasons.