MELBOURNE will canvass Collingwood's director of football Geoff Walsh to gauge whether he would be interested in pursuing the position of general manager of football operations at the club.
The Magpies announced on Wednesday that after seven years Walsh had decided to leave the club.
Walsh will take a break overseas and continue to operate as a consultant to the Magpies during a three-month notice period.
Demons' CEO Peter Jackson said he had no idea what Walsh had planned beyond then but he would give him a call to find out what he might be considering in the future.
"If he is available I would talk to him," Jackson told AFL.com.au.
"I don't know if he is available."
Melbourne is conducting an industry-wide search in relation to the position of general manager of football operations.
Josh Mahoney is acting in that position and may be an applicant. He is also part of the panel to choose a new coach.
While there was speculation at the time of Wednesday's announcement that Walsh might be joining one of the AFL clubs seeking a football manager, Jackson said there had been no contact between his club and the departing Magpie.
"I can assure you Melbourne has not spoken to him," Jackson said.
Walsh confirmed on SEN radio that he had not spoken to Melbourne or other clubs before resigning from Collingwood.
It is understood North Melbourne, where Walsh worked as a football manager and CEO, will also sound him as it continues its search for a football manager to replace Donald McDonald.
McDonald has indicated he will fill a different position at North Melbourne in 2014.
Walsh has been a critical component of Collingwood's football department, overseeing the transition from Mick Malthouse to Nathan Buckley and re-signing several stars.
The fact that he has decided to take a break from such a demanding position was not a surprise but the timing did raise questions.
However, Walsh said there was nothing unusual to be read into it except that the timing was right for him to take a break and spend some time visiting his son overseas.
Walsh indicated that whether or not he re-enters the football industry would be a decision for another time.
"At some stage I'll need to work, I'll need to be re-employed and I'm confident enough that I have a skill set that might be attractive to someone," Walsh told SEN.
Walsh, who has been involved in contract negotiations with Dale Thomas, said he was confident the club and player would come to an agreement at some stage.
"I don't think there is any issue in terms of Dale [Thomas] wanting to stay. I know that he wants to stay and I know Collingwood wants to contract him. They will be able to work that out I'm sure," he said.
