The former Cats captain is yet to decide whether to put his media career on hold and pursue his coaching ambitions.

 

But one thing is clear – he is certainly in demand.

 

"You'd think it's pretty much locked in stone that he's going to coach, but it's just a matter of where," Kelly told AFL.com.au.

 

Ling met with Melbourne coach Paul Roos last week who sounded him out about taking over as his successor when the incumbent's contract expires at the end of 2015 (or 2016 if Roos takes up the option of a third year at the Demons).

 

North Melbourne is also keen to retain Ling's services, but in a beefed up role next season. Ling has worked part-time with the Kangaroos' leadership group this year.

 

Ling's links with Geelong also makes the club he captained to the 2011 flag another obvious candidate, while Richmond is believed to be another club courting him.

 

"I think he would be a great assistant coach wherever he went and I think, eventually, he'll be a really good senior coach," Kelly said.

 

"He's got great people skills, he's a really good manager and he's really strong in what he wants and what he believes in.

 

"I think he just wants to do it. He's the sort of person that if he puts his mind to it he's good at anything."

 

Kelly, who had a long association with Ling during their premiership successes at Geelong, speaks regularly with his close friend.

 

But even Kelly remains in the dark about Ling's definitive plans, saying he "keeps his cards close to his chest".

 

"No one would give him a hard time if he wanted to stay in the media, but I think the thing with him is that he's a really, really competitive person," Kelly said.

 

"He misses the day to day of the club, he misses being around all that sort of stuff and he just really wants to win."