We’ve all seen this story play out at Essendon before, so if we are to move on from Scott at some stage this year, who are the best options and why? I’ve given a few names in here and most likely have missed some, but good to have a thread to discuss this all in one place.
Experienced:
Hinkley – Feels like we might need a calm, experienced old “steady hand” right now. He kept Port competitive for a long time without elite lists, rebuilds well, is good at developing young players and players clearly buy in. Bit of a risk with older coaches, but could be a strong stabiliser.
Longmire – Probably the best resume available. Inherited a strong culture at Sydney though, but evolved their game over time. Big-picture leader and safe pair of hands, though question marks on whether he’d have the same impact outside of the Swans already strong culture.
Buckley – Likely headed to Tasmania, but worth mentioning. Smart, driven, and now building experience outside Collingwood under Chris Scott. Big-club experience is a plus. Took the Pies down before back up again, so still some question marks on how good of a coach he actually is. In the perfect age bracket now, but so was Brad.
Simpson – Premiership coach and very articulate footy mind. Age profile is right, but fair concerns about burnout and West Coast’s drop-off post premiership which was really long. Hard to gauge where he’s at.
Hird – Would unify the club and bring strong support around him. Players played for him. But concerns around his coaching depth, lack of willingness to do an apprenticeship, and whether he’s really evolved enough. His footy knowledge is a bit overrated too I think, having watched him on the various footy shows being outdone by Bartel. If we went an Essendon man in these circles I actually think Spike McVeigh has the best resume out of him, Hird and Solomon. He worked as a development coach, took the Allies to their only title, AFL coach experience for half a year and has now been an assistant under a few good coaches.
Younger options:
Giansiracusa – Highly rated assistant, strong development background, and now learning under Mitchell who is an elite coach. Has coached his own VFL side before. Ticks a lot of boxes as a modern coach and a good “in-between” option.
James Kelly – Internally familiar and part of strong system at Geelong, played in multiple premiership’s. Unknown as a coach, but could bring with him some good connections and standards.
Goddard – Has VFL coaching experience (although I think they finished last) and presence, but résumé still a bit light and mostly under Lyon. Might be a step too early, but is a popular Essendon figure.
Michael Barlow – I like thinking of left-field options. Strong footy IQ, varied experience, VFL success coaching Werribee, and a strong development background. Working under Clarkson now. Probably not on the radar, but fits the profile of successful modern coaches plucked out of obscurity.
Others to consider:
Lappin, Enright, Daly, Bruce…..?
If we go this path, we need a proper, professional process and to try keep it quite on who is being interviewed to attract the best candidates.
Feels like a real fork-in-the-road decision — go safe and experienced, or back in the next generation, the latter pretty much all modern day premierhip coaches come from.
Shortlist (best fits right now)
