The Melbourne Mavericks coaches have revealed their interests in the newly open top job across town

Despite the Mavericks’ slow approach to re-sign out of contract Tracey Neville after the Vixens role opened up, the coach has revealed where her interests remain. However, her assistant has left the door open.

Mavericks coach Tracey Neville has given her strongest indication she hopes to continue in the role to give the fledgling franchise “stability” as her assistant Nicole Richardson offered a “never say never” response to the possibility of replacing Simone McKinnis at the Vixens.

McKinnis’ mid-season bombshell that she would step down as head coach at the Vixens at the end of the year has now put the focus on the league’s other out-of-contract coaches and the candidates in line to replace her at the Melbourne club.

Now in her second season at Super Netball’s youngest franchise, England-born Neville is one of the other out-of-contract mentors yet to be locked in beyond 2025.

At the halfway point of the season, the Mavs sit in sixth position on the ladder, two games outside of the top four.

Tracey Neville has given a strong indication that she will remain at the Mavericks. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Asked about her coaching future and where her discussions with the Mavericks were at, the former England Roses head coach said her talks hadn’t yet “progressed” but suggested she wanted to stay in the post to give the club “stability”.

“I feel that at the moment that is not something that is my priority,” Neville said.

“I obviously love the Mavs and I want to stay with the Mavs, but that conversation we haven’t actually progressed yet.

“Hopefully, we will do that soon and give some stability to this team.

“I absolutely love where we are going with the Mavericks and I do think that now we’ve got a real great foundation, I think we can really build on the players that we have got.”

Neville’s comments came as her assistant coach Richardson did not rule herself out of the running for the Vixens’ head coaching role, which McKinnis has held for 13 years, as she backed Neville as the right person for the Mavs’ job “moving forward”.

The Diamonds’ assistant is one of the most qualified assistant coaches in Super Netball among the potential candidates for the Vixens role.

“You never say never with doing something like that but at the same time I am very happy working alongside Trace,” Richardson told Fox Sports of her interest in the Vixens’ role.

“She is definitely the right person moving forward for the job at the Mavericks, she has done so much for the club and set the club up for success.

Nicole Richardson (R) has left the door open for the Vixens’ top job. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images for Netball Australia

“So I’m looking forward to another year with Trace, but you never say never though do you.”

The Mavericks narrowly missed out on a place in the Super Netball finals last season in an injury-hit maiden campaign.

At the midway point of the team’s second season, Neville has still not had her full original contracted 10 available to play together due to injuries.

Goaler Sasha Glasgow (fractured leg) and defender Lauren Parkinson (ACL) missed all of the team’s first season with serious injury.

Parkinson is still yet to make her Mavericks’ debut this year, while English goaler Eleanor Cardwell has also been sidelined this year after knee surgery on the eve of the season.

Originally published as The Melbourne Mavericks coaches have revealed their interests in the newly open top job across town