FORMER Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says he still has the energy required to coach at AFL level.

As the fallout from Carlton's shock 12-point loss to Gold Coast continues to take its toll on the club and coach Brett Ratten, Malthouse was questioned at length about his desire to return to coaching on Melbourne radio on Sunday.

Malthouse is seen as the man most likely to replace Ratten should the Carlton coach be sacked.

Speaking on 3AW, Malthouse recognised that coaching was a demanding job but said his enthusiasm for the role had never wavered.

"I thoroughly enjoy coaching, the good and the bad," he said.

"That surge of energy or surge of adrenalin when that ball's bounced (at the start of a game) and you're getting young players up ready to play …

"Playing first-gamers, playing 200-gamers and just being out there and understanding there's a competition on between you and your opponent, that is so wonderful.

"That is such an adrenalin rush. But you've got to take everything in to consideration. You've got to have the energy. Have I got the energy? Well I suppose, I think I've got the energy."

Malthouse said he recognised the potential drawbacks of coaching, in particular the impact on his family.

"There's a lot to take in to consideration when you declare yourself a football coach," he said.

"You can't escape the fact that it's a 24-hour, seven days a week and multiple months job."

He said he had endured "a couple of very, very harrowing years" recently, which had left "a lot of scars".

Malthouse was replaced as Collingwood coach by Nathan Buckley at the end of 2011 under a succession deal engineered by Magpies president Eddie McGuire.

Malthouse had been expected to stay on as director of coaching but chose not to remain after the handover, announcing his decision to walk away in the rooms after Collingwood's Grand Final loss to Geelong last year.

He told 3AW it was a matter of time before sat down with his manager to discuss his future.

Earlier, AFL.com.au columnist Damian Barrett said on television that Malthouse would cost Carlton millions of dollars if he were to be lured to the Blues as coach.