XAVIER Clarke has emerged as a coach in demand, with three clubs chasing the former St Kilda player's services going into next season.
As the coaching merry-go-round slows after a frantic off-season, Clarke remains highly sought after following three seasons coaching the Northern Territory Thunder in the NEAFL.
It is understood Collingwood has joined Richmond in inquiring about Clarke, who has ambitions to re-enter the AFL system as an assistant coach.
Fremantle also made inquiries about Clarke but appears unlikely to pursue him.
Greater Western Sydney also spoke to Clarke about a role on Leon Cameron's coaching team but the Giants are set to go down a different path.
AFL NT is supportive of Clarke's ambitions and is waiting for the 33-year-old's return from an AFL Coaches' Association study tour at the end of this week to get an update on his next step.
Richmond has downsized its coaching team significantly, cutting four assistant coaches and so far only appointing experienced pair Justin Leppitsch and Blake Caracella to replace them.
The Tigers are also yet to replace development manager Mark 'Choco' Williams, with Clarke earmarked for a development coach position should he choose to join the Tigers.
The Magpies, meanwhile, have a vacancy as VFL coach after Dale Tapping joined the Brisbane Lions as midfield coach. Fremantle could be on the lookout for a development coach after Peter Sumich chose to leave the club in August.
Clarke is in the United States with Josh Fraser (Carlton), Anthony Rock (Fremantle), Jed Adcock (Western Bulldogs), Tim Clarke (Carlton) and Adam Kingsley (St Kilda) for the AFLCA study tour.
The group is visiting sporting clubs including the 2016 NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers and the NFL's Cleveland Browns, as well as the USA Olympics team training base and Stanford University.
While Clarke is in demand, a number of experienced assistants – including Ross Smith (Richmond), Brett Montgomery (Western Bulldogs), Garry Hocking (Port Adelaide) and Ben Hart (Collingwood) – have so far failed to find new jobs after being moved on.
A number of clubs are scaling back their coaching teams or replacing experienced assistants with players fresh out of the game as the football department soft cap starts to bite.
Adock, Corey Enright (Geelong), Ben McGlynn (St Kilda) and Troy Chaplin (Melbourne) have all stepped straight into coaching roles.
Nick Dal Santo, who is yet to declare his playing intentions for 2017, is also exploring a future in coaching if he decides to retire after 322 games with St Kilda and North Melbourne.
Retired West Coast and Hawthorn player Xavier Ellis had been seeking a role as a development coach and spoke to Richmond before accepting an assistant role with WAFL club Swan Districts.
In other moves, the Giants welcome back Mark McVeigh from a season-long suspension resulting from his involvement as a player in the Essendon 2012 supplements scandal.
Assistant coach Luke Power will move to Melbourne to join the club's list management and recruiting team. He has also been linked heavily to the AFL Academy position vacated by Brenton Sanderson.
Fremantle is drawing close to appointing its coaching high-performance manager with applications for the position formally closing five weeks ago.
