The 10 leading candidates to take on West Coast coaching job after Adam Simpson’s sacking

Nathan Buckley admits he’s weighing up returning to the AFL’s coaching ranks after being linked with the West Coast job following Adam Simpson’s sacking.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 14: Magpies head coach Nathan Buckley celebrates victory after coaching his final match for the Magpies during the round 13 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Collingwood Magpies at Sydney Cricket Ground on June 14, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Highly-rated Sydney Swans assistant coach and former Eagles’ champion Dean Cox is the early frontrunner to replace Adam Simpson as West Coast coach.

Cox has long been earmarked as the likely successor to John Longmire at the Swans but West Coast is certain to make an approach on the popular big man in the wake of Simpson’s departure.

It means Cox, 42, will have the choice to go through a selection process at West Coast or lock into a succession plan style arrangement at Sydney to take over from Longmire if the Swans offer it.

But there could be a long wait for the reins at the Swans as Longmire, who is out of contract next year, could remain in charge to help keep the talented Swans in the premiership sweet spot.

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Cox will have competition in the West Coast race from fellow Western Australians Jaymie Graham, 40, who is a highly-rated assistant coach at Fremantle, and Carlton assistant coach Ashley Hansen, 41.

Graham left the Eagles’ coaching panel in 2021 and Hansen was Luke Beveridge’s right hand man at Western Bulldogs where he led Footscray to a VFL premiership.

Both are considered two of the best assistant coaches in the game.

Former Collingwood senior coach Nathan Buckley, Port Adelaide assistant Josh Carr and Essendon’s Daniel Giansiracusa are also likely to be canvassed about their interest in moving west.

Buckley hinted for the first time about a possible return on Saturday, admitting he was weighing up whether to push for a coaching comeback.

“I don’t like the fact that coaches that are currently in their places get rained on and that I’m the bloke that always gets the question about that,” he said on Fox Footy.

“I’d take a call from everyone mate. There’s no caller IDs I’m not picking up all the time.

“I still don’t know if I’ve got my hand up to coach. But it’s something I’m looking at.”

The trend in the AFL for developing clubs is to appoint younger untried senior coaches with Richmond (Adem Yze), Hawthorn (Sam Mitchell) and Collingwood (Craig McRae) taking that route in recent times.

But North Melbourne (Alastair Clarkson) and St Kilda (Ross Lyon) opted for more experienced options.

Cox, who is one of the club’s most decorated players winning six All-Australians and the 2006 premiership, is widely considered the favourite to return to Perth to lead West Coast’s new era.

In particular, Cox is highly-rated for his coaching skills including his player management and relationships, his tactical acumen, midfield analysis and data analysis.

Current Eagles’ chief executive Don Pyke will have a strong understanding of Cox’s capability as the pair worked together as assistants at the Swans together before Pyke returned to the west last year.

Pyke spoke with Cox on Sunday with Sydney runner Brett Kirk as the Eagles prepared to take on Melbourne at the MCG and Sydney battled the Saints at Marvel Stadium.

Geelong and GWS champion forward Steve Johnson, who worked with Cox as an assistant coach in Sydney, labelled Cox a “great candidate” who was ready to step up as a senior coach.

“Coxy knows what it takes to be successful,” Johnson told the Herald Sun.

“He has moved away from Perth to improve his knowledge and skill set and has worked under one of the best senior coaches (Longmire) the game has ever seen that has basically been developed and rebuilt on the run.

“His man management, his football IQ, his list strategy views and his overall coaching experience all bode well to be ready to become a senior coach.

“Whether that’s potentially down the track at the Swans (if he stays at Sydney) or at another club (West Coast).

“He has taken all the necessary steps to improve himself through overseas travel and extra study to one day be ready for whenever the time comes that a club knocks on his door.”

Johnson said Sydney would still likely make a strong effort to keep Cox.

“The Swans would be desperate to keep him while they’re in such a strong position as a club with one of the best coaching panels in the AFL,” he said.

“But you can see the reasons why his name is being mentioned (for West Coast’s job) and not just because he is an ex West Coast Eagles’ player.

“He has been involved in the game at the highest level for about 25 years.”

Originally published as The 10 leading candidates to take on West Coast coaching job after Adam Simpson’s sacking