MELBOURNE'S search for a coach to replace Mark Neeld appears to be gaining momentum. Here's an update on the potential candidates:

 

The dream option. But, like many dreams, turning this one into reality might prove agonisingly unattainable.

 

The Sydney Swans' 2005 premiership mentor, who last coached in 2010 and will turn 50 on Thursday (June 27), has repeatedly denied he is interested in returning to the caper.

 

Last year he also rejected an advance from Carlton president Stephen Kernahan, who inquired about Roos' availability for the then-vacant Blues job that ultimately went to Mick Malthouse.

 

But that hasn't deterred the Demons from chasing him, with club CEO Peter Jackson sounding out Roos in recent days.

 

"I've spoken to Paul and his comments to me were exactly the same as the other night (Monday) on television," Jackson told radio station Triple M.

 

"At the moment he doesn't see himself coaching … But I've asked him the question and maybe, who knows? Maybe we can convince him over time it's a challenge that's going to invigorate him.

 

"He has to want to coach. No amount of money is going to make him want to coach. He has to want to do it for the right reasons."

 

The Hawthorn premiership coach rejected speculation he would move to Melbourne, insisting he has "unfinished business" with the Hawks.

 

Clarkson, who is contracted with Hawthorn until the end of next season, said: "I'm contracted here, and I love everything about my association with the Hawthorn Football Club. So I'll be continuing to stay involved here."

 

Clarkson played 41 of his 134 AFL games with the Demons.

 

His manager Liam Pickering recently revealed Clarkson had received a lucrative offer to coach Melbourne at the end of 2011. Clarkson had earlier denied receiving the offer.

 

The Eagles' 2006 premiership coach has ruled himself out of the Melbourne coaching job.

 

In the final year of his contract with West Coast, Worsfold has put off negotiations with the Eagles until season's end.

 

Worsfold appealed as a strong leader who could build a strong list, develop young talent and achieve success. He had also worked in Melbourne before, having been an assistant coach at Carlton in 2000-01.

 

"I haven't thought about the Melbourne job being available," he said recently. "Let's rule myself out. Let's do that.

 

"The main thing I'm clear on is not whether I'll coach on here at the Eagles but that I'll talk about my contract at the end of the year."

 

Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams is firming as the favourite for the Demons job.

 

After spending two seasons as senior assistant coach under Kevin Sheedy at Greater Western Sydney, the 54-year-old has had an enormous influence in his first season as Richmond's development manager, particularly in his dealings with wayward star Dustin Martin.

 

Skipper Trent Cotchin is the latest Tiger to endorse Williams' claims.

 

"You only have to look at his energy and his vibrancy on the bench. He's always involved (and) he's almost got a form of ADD (attention deficit disorder)," Cotchin told Channel Seven's AFL Game Day on Sunday.

 

"He's so good with the young players, which is probably suited to a Melbourne, and from all reports he was fantastic with the young guys at GWS as well … He drives you up the wall at times, but he would absolutely get the best out of a young group of individuals."

 

The man who took both the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs to multiple finals series says he still has "that fire in the gut" to be an AFL coach.

 

But the 55-year-old isn't sure he wants the Melbourne job because he is enjoying his job as Collingwood's football and coaching strategist.

 

"If they did happen to want to have a chat, well we'd see what happened then," Eade told Fox Footy's AFL 360.

 

"But if they didn't, that's no drama. I'm certainly happy where I am at the moment … I'm totally focused at Collingwood."

 

Eade said he felt the same way last year when the Port Adelaide job became vacant but eventually ruled himself out of contention.

 

His chances are perhaps damaged by his hands-on involvement in the failed Neeld regime, but the former Adelaide coach has a chance to impress during his extended audition in the role.

 

The 57-year-old believed his coaching days were over when he finished with the Crows at the end of 2011, but he said he will gauge his feelings during his role as caretaker coach.

 

"It will depend on what the club is looking for and I guess how I feel about sitting in the chair again for 11 weeks," he said.

 

Craig was Melbourne's director of sports performance and a mentor for Neeld during the sacked coach's one-and-a-half seasons in the job.

 

He took charge of Melbourne for the first time on Saturday, with the Demons offering a spirited showing against St Kilda before going down by 35 points.

The former Essendon coach, who was sacked in 2010 after three years with the Bombers, has entered the frame for the Demons' position after enjoying success as coach of Geelong's VFL team.

 

In his first season at Simonds Stadium last year, Knights took the Cats reserves to a premiership. This season they are 8-2.

 

He has also played a crucial role in the development of 13 players who have made their AFL debuts since he joined the club.

 

Geelong's head coach Chris Scott has praised the 42-year-old's efforts.

 

"While I think he would be an outstanding candidate, I'm not keen to push him too hard because he is doing an outstanding job for us," Scott said.

 

Knights said on Saturday that he is always striving to be a better coach, and would consider opportunities at AFL level if they arose, but insisted he was happy to continue at Geelong.