Hocking’s the man to take over the job at Melbourne, says South Adelaide coach Brad Gotch

MELBOURNE should be targeting Magpies coach Garry Hocking as its successor for Paul Roos, Panthers coach Brad Gotch says.

MELBOURNE should be targeting Port Adelaide Magpies coach Garry Hocking as its successor for Paul Roos, Hocking’s former colleague and now SANFL rival Brad Gotch says.

The Demons are still searching for a coach to take over from Roos after their first option, Sydney assistant Stuart Dew, extended his deal with the Swans.

Gotch, who worked under Rodney Eade and Mick Malthouse before joining the Power as an assistant in 2011, believes Hocking is the man for the job.

“Garry Hocking is an unbelievable football person. Why he’s not coaching AFL is beyond me,” Gotch said.

“Melbourne are looking for a succession plan. I know whose door I’d be knocking down.”

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Hocking, who has been assistant at the Power since 2009 and has experience in the top job after serving as caretaker for four games in 2012, is currently coaching Port’s SANFL side.

He has the Magpies in second position on the ladder after winning their past three games by an average margin of 89 points.

“He’s a freak mate. People just completely underestimate him,” Gotch said.

“Look what he’s doing with Port Adelaide - they’re just pulling the pants down of everyone.”

Gotch believes the set up at Alberton under Ken Hinkley is an ideal learning environment for coaches, pointing to Alan Richardson’s success at St Kilda this year.

Richardson, who was Hinkley’s right hand man as Port surged up the ladder last season, has led the Saints to a 3-3 start after they were widely tipped for the wooden spoon.

“I reckon I’m a much better person and coach for my time at Port Adelaide,” said Gotch, who took the reins at South Adelaide in the SANFL this season and has led the club to its first 4-0 start since 1965.

“Port are just fantastic at development and improving their craft ...

“There’s things I have implemented from a structural and strategic point of view, in respect to the way the game is played.

“They’ve helped me immensely to become better.”

Former Carlton boss Brett Ratten is the other coach to have been linked to the Demons job.

Roos declared when he started at Melbourne he would coach for only two to three years and wanted to groom his successor.