ADELAIDE caretaker coach Mark Bickley maintains he won't be rushed into making a decision on whether he wants the permanent position after Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade joined the list of potential candidates.
On Wednesday, the Bulldogs announced Eade's contract wouldn't be renewed next season, and speaking at a press conference at Whitten Oval, the long-serving coach denied he'd thought about coaching another club, but said he still had "a lot to offer".
Bickley was appointed interim coach of the Crows following Neil Craig's resignation last month.
The two-time premiership captain is yet to publicly declare if he wants the full-time role, repeatedly vowing to use his time in charge to decide if he's ready to pursue a permanent position.
Bickley said the sudden availability of Eade wouldn't change his plans to wait until the end of the season to declare his intentions.
"I've got some thoughts in my head, but three weeks ago I said we'd wait until the end of the six weeks and make a decision," Bickley said on Wednesday.
"It makes even more sense to me now. I talk about having all the information in front of me, and who knows who else might be there [in the running for the job] then.
"I'm not sure what Rodney is going to do next, but I think I've heard him say he is a career coach, so I expect he may very well be interested [in the Crows' job].
"I guess he would be a competitor or someone who would be really strongly considered for a club like this."
Last weekend Bickley was joined in the coach's box by former teammate and chairman of the coaching selection panel Nigel Smart.
Bickley played down Smart's presence in the box for the game against Geelong, denying it was part of an audition process for the top job.
"It's not something I took a whole lot of interest in," he said.
"Once the game starts you're really just consumed by the game, and what you're trying to achieve.
"[Football operations manager] Phil Harper is also on that selection panel and he sits in the box every week, so he would have an intimate knowledge of my demeanour in the box.
"I guess for Nigel, who is chairing that panel, it was an opportune time … for him to have a look and see how things work in there."
Bickley will be aiming for his third win from four matches in charge when Adelaide heads to the Gold Coast to play the struggling Suns on Saturday.
Forward Kurt Tippett, who has missed the past three games with a hamstring strain, is a confirmed starter for the match in his home state.
Full-back Ben Rutten and midfielder Richard Douglas should also be recalled, while wingman Davis Mackay (knee) could also be a surprise inclusion.
Ruckman Ivan Maric replaced Tippett in the team in round 19, and is likely to make way for the one-time leading goalkicker this week.
There's been speculation Richmond has expressed an interest in Maric, who has been limited to only six appearances this season because of the emergence of Sam Jacobs.
Bickley, a member of the club's list management group, said the out-of-contract big man was still a required player at West Lakes.
"We've seen in the last couple of weeks that he's got a lot to offer this football club, so Ivan would be a very much required player next season, but at the same time I'm a realist," he said.
"The quality of Ivan's football and him as a person would make him an attractive proposition for clubs that don’t have a first-choice ruckman.
"He's struggled for opportunities. At the moment he's just behind Sam Jacobs and with the interchange rules the way they are it's difficult to play too many guys in that ruck role.
"I've got no doubt other teams will be looking at Ivan, but that's a decision he has to make."
Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill
