Justin Longmuir and Peter Sumich headline top contenders for Fremantle coaching job after Ross Lyon’s sacking
Former Dockers assistants Justin Longmuir and Peter Sumich headline the coaches in the mix to replace Ross Lyon at Fremantle, with one winning a glowing endorsement of his credentials.
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Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has endorsed Magpies’ assistant coach Justin Longmuir as a future senior coach.
Buckley said he would be comfortable with Longmuir going through an interview process with Fremantle between now and the end of the Magpies’ season, describing it as “inevitable”.
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Longmuir, in charge of the Magpies’ backline, has emerged as one of the potential candidates to replace sacked Dockers coach Ross Lyon.
Buckley said he backed Longmuir’s ability to focus on his job at Collingwood through the finals should he be approached by the Dockers.
“Well I think that’s inevitable and I think that Freo are actually interested in Justin,” Buckley said.
“He has been huge for us. Speaking to him briefly this morning, I think that he can walk and chew gum at the same time.
“He’s been excellent for us over the last couple of seasons and I’m pretty sure he can manage whatever interest may come from there.
“I don’t believe he has had contact yet, but I’m sure that he can balance that up with what we need from him and when he’s here, he’ll give absolutely 100 per cent of himself to our campaign because in the short term that is what he wants to do — to make the most of what this is in 2019.”
Buckley said he was confident Longmuir was ready to make the step up as a senior coach.
“I’ve got no doubt that he could do the job and it’s up to the club that looks at him to work out if he is the right fit,” Buckley said.
“I think that he has been so impressive. He’s aspired to senior coaching through his journey and he has continued to school himself up.
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“I think the way his relationship building with the players has been first class to organise the defensive unit and quite a deep group of players that we have had to rotate through there and have them ready to play a role and energised and motivated to support each other and get the job done has been exceptional.”
Who wears the purple polo next?
Peter Sumich
Sumich had an ugly fall out with Ross Lyon back in 2016 and was banished from an assistant coaching position to a development role. Before that, he helped guide West Coast to the 2006 premiership as an assistant coach and was beaten by James Hird for the senior job at Essendon.
Justin Longmuir
Would be a snug fit for the Dockers having played 139 games there between 1999-2007. Longmuir is highly-rated at Collingwood for his work as defensive coach and has already been touted as an early favourite for the Dockers’ job.
John Worsfold
Has one more year to go on his contract at Essendon, but could we see a straight-swap at Essendon and Fremantle with Woosha and Ross? Worsfold’s family has returned to Perth. He could slot straight in as either senior coach or coaching director.
Brad Scott
Has been strongly linked to a position at the AFL in game analysis and trends in recent weeks. Scott would probably prefer to be offered a position rather than have to go through a full process after leaving North Melbourne earlier this year.
Michael Voss
Ran second to David Teague for the Carlton job and has loomed as the most ready-made of the assistants. Has served Ken Hinkley at Port Adelaide since his time as Brisbane senior coach ended.
Brett Ratten
Still the frontrunner for the St Kilda gig as he attempts to steer the Saints to their fourth victory under his watch. Has the benefit of learning under master coach Alastair Clarkson in his time at Waverley. Deserves another chance after a harsh decision to sack him at Carlton.
Rob Harvey
Is the dark horse for the St Kilda job. Ross Lyon and Nathan Buckley both rate the Collingwood senior assistant highly. Knows the game inside out, but keeps a low profile.
Others: Jade Rawlings, Ben Rutten, Blake Caracella, Jon Barker, Paul Roos, Leigh Tudor, Scott Burns, Matthew Nicks, Sam Mitchell, Don Pyke, Scott Camporeale
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