West Coast coach John Worsfold backs assistant Scott Burns to become senior AFL coach

WEST Coast coach John Worsfold says his assistant Scott Burns has all the necessary qualities to become a senior AFL coach.

WEST Coast coach John Worsfold says his assistant Scott Burns has all the necessary qualities to become a senior AFL coach as contenders line up for the vacant Port Adelaide role.

Worsfold said it wasn't for him to say if Burns was ready to step up and take charge of his own team, but believed the former Collingwood captain had what it takes to do the job well.

"Just look up leadership in the dictionary and copy it out," he said.

"He's honest, he's got integrity, he's a good leader.

"Scott will be, I think, a very good senior coach when he feels he's ready to take that role on."

Burns has been touted as a leading candidate to take on the Port Adelaide job after the club sacked Matthew Primus earlier this month.

His lack of experience as a senior coach may play against him with the Power thought to be looking to appoint someone who has performed at the top level.

Former Western Bulldogs coach and current Collingwood strategist Rodney Eade is among the names being mentioned.

But the club could also look to a joint ticket with someone like Burns acting initially as understudy to a more experienced mentor.

Current caretaker coach Garry Hocking is yet to declare if he will seek the job in 2013.

After Port's 48-point loss to the Eagles on Sunday, the team's second defeat under Hocking, the former Geelong star said he still intended to wait until the end of the season to make the call.