AFL: Caretaker coach Mark McVeigh expects to make pitch for GWS Giants senior job in next four weeks

Six weeks have passed since Leon Cameron announced his resignation as Giants coach, and the man who is temporarily replacing him wants the job long term.

Mark McVeigh wants to be the Giants’ senior coach next year. Picture: Getty Images

Caretaker coach Mark McVeigh expects to make his official pitch for the Giants’ job in the next month as he reveals he has “absolutely loved” his first stint in charge.

Leon Cameron resigned and oversaw his last game in mid-May against Carlton after nine years as Greater Western Sydney’s coach, with McVeigh stepping up for the past five matches.

The Giants, who host Hawthorn on Sunday, have embraced a more attacking style under McVeigh after Cameron conceded they were “boring” the week before he parted ways with the club.

McVeigh brought in ex-Essendon teammates James Hird and Dean Solomon to support him, and GWS has beaten cellar-dwellers West Coast and North Melbourne while being competitive against stronger rivals.

Former Hawthorn master coach Alastair Clarkson is considered the leading candidate to succeed Cameron next year – if he wants the position – but the Giants could also turn to someone who has never led a club.

Could Alastair Clarkson be the Giants’ next senior coach? Picture: Getty Images

The likes of Adem Yze, Daniel Giansiracusa, Jaymie Graham, Brendon Lade, Scott Burns, Blake Caracella, Adam Kingsley, Ashley Hansen and Josh Carr are potential contenders.

“I’ve got an understanding (of where everything is at) and I’ll go through the process like any other coach,” McVeigh said.

“I’m obviously in the role already and that’ll show a few things, but I’ll present at some stage, probably in the next four weeks, so they’ve been very open with me and terrific.

“They’ve been amazing and they’ve supported me. There are other coaches they’ll be talking to, which is absolutely right, and I’m just another one of those who are trying to win the role.”

McVeigh said he would weigh up whether or not to remain at GWS if he didn’t win the job, pointing out that the successful candidate may hand-pick his or her own crew of assistants.

Mark McVeigh (middle) brought in old Essendon mates James Hird (left) and Dean Solomon to help him as the Gants’ caretaker coach. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I’ve loved it, to be honest – I’ve loved it more than I thought. I thought I’d really enjoy it, but I’ve absolutely loved it,” he said.

“Just the process of the Monday to Friday, getting us in a position to be able to compete is really what I love. That’s great.

“Clearly on the weekends, there’s some things you can do, but in the end, if we don’t get them in the right frame of mind to be able to compete and also educate them on how to beat the opposition, we don’t really stand a chance.

“I’ve loved the support from my assistant coaches, in Steve Johnson, Craig Jennings and Amon Buchanan – they’ve been unbelievable – and the club has been great behind me and the players have been terrific.”

McVeigh’s shown a willingness to use his players in different positions, including sending Harry Himmelberg into defence and Nick Haynes forward, and said he would always be that type of coach.