GWS news 2024: Adam Kingsley backs long-time AFL assistant Brett Montgomery for the vacant West Coast Eagles job

Plenty of names have been thrown up for the vacant West Coast coaching position. But one contender has been given the ultimate endorsement as the Eagles look for their next coach.

Giants coach Adam Kingsley has provided a rousing endorsement for his senior assistant Brett Montgomery to be considered for the position at the West Coast Eagles.

Adam Simpson’s departure from the Eagles this week has led to varied speculation about who could be in line to take over at the club. Jarrad Schofield will take over in the interim as they look for a permanent successor, but West Coach will search far and wide for the right man.

Sydney assistant Dean Cox is believed to be the frontrunner as both an Eagles legend, and having worked with CEO Don Pyke together at the Swans. However, the big question for Cox is whether he will be happy to make the move from Sydney with his young family, especially when the potential to take over at the Swans could be a possibility in the future. No formal succession plan for John Longmire has been confirmed at this stage.

It leaves several other assistants around the competition as a potential option, with Montgomery’s resume proving he should be in the conversation.

Kingsley has thrown his weight behind Montgomery for the vacant Eagles position. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Having been linked with senior coaching roles before, the former Port Adelaide and Bulldogs player is a trusted member of the Giants group. He also has a 13-year career as an assistant and Kingsley believes he would perfectly suit the Eagles.

“I think they’d be mad not to talk to him and interview him,” Kingsley said. “He’s a fantastic coach, more than capable of being a senior coach in the competition and he just needs the opportunity.

“He sees the game really well. He’s a smart coach game style-wise and his views on how the game should be played are really strong. He’s a great teacher and builds connections with all the players.

“If you speak to players he’s coached, they all love him. He has a way to connect, educate and hold them accountable.

“He’s been in the game a long time. I think he’d do a wonderful job irrespective of which club he’s coaching at. But West Coast, I can see him having a significant impact at that footy club.”

The Giants play their first game at the MCG since their preliminary final heartache last season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Giants will be looking to take another step in their progression when they come up against Richmond on Sunday. The match will also be their first appearance at the MCG this year, and for some players, the first of their careers.

Kingsley confirmed that Lachie Ash will return, however, it’s not set to be at the expense of Joe Fonti who impressed with his turn of pace on debut against the Blues.

The coach knows that the volatility of this year’s competition means that every game is important. And although he knows they turned the corner last week against Carlton, there will be no sense of complacency heading into the game against the team currently sitting at the bottom of the table.

Lachie Ash will return for the Giants this weekend against the Tigers. Picture: Brett Costello

“We obviously got the result against a really good team so that always feels good,” Kingsley said. “But it’s a new challenge this week.

“We have to tidy up our stoppage. (Carlton) scored five goals in the first quarter from stoppage alone, and beat us in the contest. We don’t want to be making those mistakes too many times or give teams an opportunity to post a winning score early on us.

“It’s an opportunity to beat a team on their home deck at the MCG, which we haven’t played there this year. And we could string two wins together, which could potentially hopefully turn into three, could turn into four. But it can’t if we don’t win this second one.

“With a win, we could be fifth, with a loss we could be 13th. From a ladder perspective, it’s so tight that you need to make the most of your opportunities.

‘That’s where our focus lies. It’s a great opportunity to have another crack at playing our way and trying to build on our game.”