ESSENDON assistant Simon Goodwin has been interviewed for the vacant Brisbane Lions coaching role, saying he is "totally ready" for a senior position.
Goodwin took over the reins at the Bombers in round 23 after coach James Hird was suspended for 12 months for his role in the club's supplement saga.
The former Adelaide captain said on Friday he had been through an interview with the Lions, who are searching for a replacement for Michael Voss.
"I've been interviewed by Brisbane. I put my hand up there. I'm keen to be a senior coach, I've gone through that process. We'll just have to see how that pans out," Goodwin told Melbourne radio station SEN.
Having been an assistant at Essendon for three seasons alongside Hird, Goodwin has been mooted as an ideal replacement for the Bombers while Hird is suspended until the end of August next season.
Goodwin said he would stay at Essendon if unsuccessful in winning a senior role elsewhere.
"I've certainly really loved my time at Essendon, I really enjoy the playing group, I love everyone that's been involved in the footy club. Ultimately, I'll stay at Essendon if that's to be the case," he said.
"But if you get the opportunity to coach your own team for a long period of time … that's an opportunity that I certainly can't pass up. It's something that I want to do. I want to be a senior coach, and I feel like I'm ready now."
Goodwin said the Bombers' would next week start their process to find Hird's replacement for 2014, with candidates to be interviewed next week.
He admitted the scandal would have some "collateral damage" to his hopes.
"Without doubt, if you're sitting at a club, you'd have to be thinking 'What did happen at Essendon?' and they're legitimate questions," he said.
"I think everyone that's been involved with the program and worked at the club … there is some collateral damage with that.
"I totally respect that and respect the process that would take place within any other footy club. That's the issues they have to sort through. As far as I'm concerned as a person, and as a member of Essendon, we're moving forward."
Having used the last five years of his career at the Crows to prepare himself for coaching, Goodwin the Bombers' turbulent season had pushed forward his ambitions.
"The last five years of my playing career, I wanted to become a senior coach and wanted to go down the coaching path," he said.
"I think in the last six months, with everything that's gone on, it's certainly fast-tracked that. I didn't think I'd probably be ready last year, but now this year I feel like I'm totally ready."
