JONATHAN Brown has thrown his support behind former teammate Jason Akermanis as the 2001 Brownlow medallist pushes to crack the AFL's coaching ranks.

Akermanis, the outspoken Brisbane Lions triple-premiership player, interviewed for a development role with Essendon this week after three years coaching Victorian country team North Albury.

When asked how he thought Akermanis would go in the coaching ranks, Brown was full of support.

"He'll be great, especially in the development role," Brown said.

"He was always very big on skills and working on his skills. He'll be a tremendous sounding board for young players.

"He'll also be able to help with some of the exterior stuff of being an AFL footballer as well. 

"I think he'd be a fantastic development coach.

"He's worked really hard at North Albury the last couple of years. He's got that outside perspective, and I think well done to him." 

Speaking last week about the possibility of coaching, Akermanis said his outlook had completely changed since finishing his distinguished playing career in 2010.

"My opinions and the way I go about things as a coach are completely the opposite to when I played," he said. 

"I'm a completely different person doing a completely different role."

Quizzed on his own coaching ambitions, Brown said he was happy to continue liaising with the Lions despite an imminent move to Melbourne. 

He said he was happy pursuing his career in the media for the time being.

"We plan on going to Melbourne for a couple of years and my heart will always be close to the Lions," Brown said.

"I can't see myself being involved full-time (in coaching) in the next few years, but time will tell."