AFL 2021: Josh Mahoney emerges as leading candidate to replace Steve Hocking in league top job

A surprise candidate has popped up for the plum AFL football operations role - and his club has given him its blessing to take part in the interview process.

Josh Mahoney is a leading candidate for the big AFL role.

Essendon football boss Josh Mahoney has emerged as a surprise contender for the vacant AFL football operations role.

Mahoney, 43, is on a short list of candidates including former North Melbourne coach Brad Scott.

Mahoney shifted to the Bombers in December last year after a lengthy stint running football operations at Melbourne.

Watch The 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Josh Mahoney is a leading candidate for the big AFL role.

He is highly-rated by AFL chiefs and was a member of Port Adelaide’s 2004 premiership team.

Essendon is aware of the league’s strong interest in Mahoney and has given its blessing for him to take part in the interview process.

Other candidates include former AFL Tasmania boss and current league competitions general manager Rob Auld.

Steve Hocking vacated the AFL’s top football position last month after securing the position as chief executive at Geelong.

Cats current CEO Brian Cook is standing down at the end of this season after 23 years in charge.

Brad Scott is the frame for the AFL job and thas been linked to the Magpies coaching role.

Scott, 45, the current head of AFL Victoria, has also been linked to the Collingwood coaching job.

His twin brother, Geelong coach Chris Scott, said in April he hoped Brad didn’t return to coaching because “it’s not a very good job to be honest”.

Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies was also sounded out for the AFL football operations role but wants to stay in South Australia.

The AFL hopes to fill Hocking’s job by Grand Final day.

Mahoney is also a member of the AFL’s new-look Competition Committee.