THERE are already two AFL senior coaching jobs up for grabs at season's end, with the potential for more after no movement last year for the first time in a decade.
What that also means is there is likely to be increased assistant coaching movement, not only from within the competition but outside the system.
Here are five potential candidates with AFL coaching experience who might attract some interest for next season.
Leigh Adams (Coburg, VFL)
The former Roo is still only 31 years old, having prematurely retired in mid-2015 because of repeat concussions and the related effects. He spent the rest of that AFL season working as a development coach with North Melbourne's forwards. Adams stepped out of the AFL to coach his own side at South Croydon, leading the Bulldogs to the 2017 premiership in his second season there. He shortly afterwards accepted VFL club Coburg's senior coaching position, and the Lions – who aren't flush with resources – are a more competitive unit in his second year.
Josh Carr (North Adelaide, SANFL)
Played 207 AFL games for Port Adelaide and Fremantle, including being part of the Power's inaugural 2004 premiership side. Carr spent four years as Port Adelaide's midfield assistant in the AFL before he applied and won North Adelaide's top coaching job ahead of the 2016 season. The Roosters struggled in his first two years in charge, but they rocketed from last place in 2017 to upset flag favourite Norwood by 19 points in last year's SANFL Grand Final.
Todd Curley (South Fremantle, WAFL)
Curley has transformed a South Fremantle team into a perennial contender after the Dogs hadn't played finals in the three years leading up to his appointment for the 2015 season. They fell at the preliminary final stage the past three seasons and are sitting second 11 rounds into this year. This latest stint came after the ex-Pie and Bulldog coached West Perth to a WAFL preliminary final in 2008, leading to him becoming a Fremantle assistant from 2009-11. Curley resigned from the Dockers on the eve of the 2012 season to pursue other work opportunities.
Steve Daniel (Southport, NEAFL)
Previously worked at Gold Coast and Carlton, where he coached those clubs' state league affiliates, including leading the Suns to consecutive NEAFL preliminary finals in 2016 and 2017. Has enjoyed enormous success at various Victorian country and Queensland clubs, coaching Seymour (two), Tatura, Morningside and, most recently, Southport to premierships. Also coached Queensland state and country teams. Could a Blues homecoming be on the cards for the 2018 NEAFL Coach of the Year?
Mick McGuane (Keilor, Essendon District FL)
The wildcard in the pack. Like Daniel, the former Magpie and Blue knows how to win flags, doing so at Burnie, Gisborne (two) and Keilor (two), where he remains in charge. In between, McGuane was a part-time scout at Richmond under Terry Wallace in 2005, before accepting a job as one of then-St Kilda coach Grant Thomas' assistants the following season. His media work has kept him in the spotlight, and he is open to an AFL return as an assistant coach in the "right" situation. Thomas is an advocate for him.
No chance Trev. Maybe entertain working under the right bloke and get into the groove of an AFL system again. That’s not hard at all. My strength is teaching the game, working with players and identifying areas of improvement, find solutions & love the cut and thrust of match day
— Michael McGuane (@MickMCG34) June 5, 2019