JOHN Barker has emerged as the leading candidate for the Brisbane Lions job that was today vacated by Justin Leppitsch. 

At a press conference to announce Leppitsch's sacking on Monday, the Lions said they were not wedded to appointing a coach with senior experience and were open to hiring their third untried coach since 2008.

Barker will be the first assistant coach to complete the AFL Level Four accreditation course next month and is in pole position to take over at the Lions, according to industry insiders.

AFL.com.au has spoken to coaching sources to compile a list of the main candidates for the Lions' vacancy and those coaches seen as the next in line.

It is a group dominated by the Level Four coaches, who were handpicked by the AFL to complete a two-year program designed to equip them for senior coaching.

The first intake, which included Barker, Stuart Dew and Adam Kingsley, will finish the course at the end of this season with a simulated coaching appointment process. 

The final exercise, which will include a panel interview with former club CEOs, chairmen and football managers, will give those who are applying for the Lions vacancy the perfect preparation for what lies ahead. 

The leading pack

1. John Barker (Carlton)
Now in his 10th season as an assistant coach, Barker led Carlton as caretaker coach at the end of last season when Mick Malthouse was sacked. An original inductee to the Level Four course, he started his apprenticeship under Ross Lyon at St Kilda in 2007-08 and joined the Hawks for two seasons in 2009. Took on a new role of stoppages coach in 2016 with the Blues and has built a solid working relationship with Brendon Bolton.

2. Brett Montgomery (Western Bulldogs)
Another member of the Level Four course, Montgomery is part of the second intake and seen as a ready-made coach. Missed out on the senior position at the Western Bulldogs, ultimately won by Luke Beveridge, and has since departed the club after two seasons under the new regime. After playing stints with the Bulldogs and Port Adelaide, he started as an assistant coach with Carlton in 2008. Was named the AFLCA assistant coach of the year in 2014.

3. Stuart Dew (Sydney Swans)
When it comes to serving an apprenticeship, the highly-rated Dew has ticked all the boxes. In an expanded midfield and strategy role this season he is a key part of the Swans' success and has now spent eight years learning his trade, starting as a development coach in 2009. Has been a standout in the AFL's Level Four accreditation program and is close to graduating, making him a well-rounded candidate with a strong foundation to take on a senior job.

4. Jade Rawlings (Melbourne)
It's been seven years since Rawlings was caretaker coach for Richmond, back in 2009 for 11 rounds. That was his third year as an assistant at Richmond and he has since gone from strength to strength and developed a diverse resume at the Brisbane Lions (2010-11) and now Melbourne, where he has been since 2012 as backline coach. A member of the second Level Four intake, Rawlings has benefited from working under Paul Roos and Simon Godwin during the Demons' cultural rebuild. 

Other contenders
5. Adam Kingsley (St Kilda)
Named the AFL Coaches Association assistant coach of the year in 2015, Kingsley is regarded very highly by his peers. The Port Adelaide premiership player has been with St Kilda since 2011, starting as forwards coach and moving into the midfield. A strong communicator and analyst, he is seen as a crucial part of the Saints' rise up the ladder in 2016. Close to completing the Level Four accreditation.

6. Scott Burns (Collingwood)
A serious contender for a number of senior vacancies in recent seasons, Burns has been in charge of Collingwood's midfield since 2014. He started his apprenticeship with West Coast in 2009 but left the club when overlooked for the senior position at the end of 2013.

7. David Teague (Adelaide)
A senior coaching aspirant, Teague is highly rated in the industry and has been in charge of Adelaide's red-hot forward line, the highest scoring group in the AFL in 2016. Has worked under premiership coach John Worsfold, the late Phil Walsh and now Don Pyke in a variety of roles. Has also coached his own team – the Northern Bullants from 2008-10 – seen as a crucial step in the modern coaching apprenticeship.

8. Simon Lloyd (Geelong)
Lloyd took up the director of coaching role at Geelong 12 months ago, adding to a diverse and accomplished CV. Highly respected in development and with strong relationships, he was seen as a good fit when the Bombers were searching for a new coach last year. Will finish the Level Four course at the end of this season.  

In the mix
Matthew Nicks (Port Adelaide)*
Justin Longmuir (West Coast)*
Brendon Lade (Richmond)
Robert Harvey (Collingwood)*
Leigh Tudor (North Melbourne)
John Blakey (Sydney Swans)
Blake Caracella (Geelong)*
Matthew Egan (Essendon)

Senior experience
Mark Williams (Richmond)
Brett Ratten (Hawthorn) 
Brendan McCartney (Melbourne)

Rising stars
Steven King (Western Bulldogs)
Tim Clarke (Carlton)
Ben Rutten (Richmond)
Lenny Hayes (Greater Western Sydney)
Dean Solomon (Gold Coast)  

*Level Four coaches