THE WESTERN Bulldogs are close to finalising their coaching sub committee and selection criteria with a view to interviewing candidates to replace sacked coach Brendan McCartney early next week.

 

CEO Simon Garlick and football director Chris Grant are expected to head the search for the club's next coach, but president Peter Gordon could play a hands-on role in the selection process.

 

One bookmaker suspended its market on the next Bulldogs coach on Friday with suggestions Fremantle assistant Peter Sumich had been well backed.

 

Other prominent assistant coaches who could be sought out include Luke Beveridge, who recently joined St Kilda from Hawthorn, Leigh Tudor (North Melbourne), Jade Rawlings (Melbourne) and Brendan Bolton (Hawthorn).   

Former Saints coach Scott Watters, meanwhile, is understood to be discussing potential roles at two clubs as he eyes a return to top-level coaching. 

St Kilda assistant coach Adam Kingsley is a dark horse for the Bulldogs job after stints under premiership coach Mark Williams at Port Adelaide and Ross Lyon and Alan Richardson with the Saints.

 

"There's a long list," Garlick said on SEN.

 

"We haven't interviewed anyone to date, but we'll be looking through and finalising the criteria over the next couple of days and start discussions next week.

 

"We want to do it as quickly as we can but without rushing.

 

"We're not going to limit it to anyone with any specific criteria. We want to make sure we get the right person whether they've coached AFL or not."