Essendon coaching search: Brad Scott to interview for top job at Bombers

Brad Scott has jumped to the front of queue to become Essendon’s next senior coach after declaring his interest in the job.

Brad Scott. Picture: Getty Images

Former North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has firmed as favourite to take over as Essendon senior coach after deciding to go for the job.

News Corp on Wednesday revealed the AFL’s operations boss will be interviewed for the Bombers’ role on Thursday after deciding he is ready to re-enter the league’s coaching ranks.

Scott, who coached North Melbourne for nine-and-a-half seasons before replacing Steve Hocking as the AFL’s footy boss, has the league’s blessing to go for the gig.

The decision from Scott is a welcomed development for Bombers’ chiefs who were eager to secure an experienced replacement for Ben Rutten after his messy late-season exit.

Essendon football general manager Josh Mahoney has led the effort to secure Scott’s interest in the position alongside new president David Barham.

Scott’s standing and senior coaching resume makes him the favourite to win the job and take over a club which has not won a final since 2004.

Brad Scott spent 10 years as coach of North Melbourne, taking the team to two preliminary finals. Picture: Michael Klein.

But the 46-year-old will have to go through the process from here in a battle with Melbourne assistant Adem Yze and former Essendon coach James Hird.

Essendon is also conducting an external review of the football department after a disappointing seven-win season saw Rutten sacked with one year remaining on his deal.

Scott, who led North Melbourne to two preliminary finals, boasts a 106-win and 105-loss coaching record between 2010-2019, and remains highly-respected within the football industry.

Scott’s twin brother, Chris, chalked up his second premiership when he guided Geelong to the flag on Saturday.

The Kangaroos parted ways with Brad Scott in 2019 with one year remaining on his contract, but he has continued to work in key roles in football and help shape the game at league headquarters.

It is understood the club wanted Scott to declare his interest in the position by the end of the week as Essendon wanted to make an announcement by next week at the latest.

It means Scott could help make decisions on the club’s list if he is successful, when the league’s free agency period officially opens on Friday.

Hird is also in the mix but is at longer odds to win the job, while Yze has twice interviewed for the position after narrowly missing out on the GWS vacancy.

Scott has spent the past few weeks weighing up whether to formally declare his interest in the Bombers’ coaching job.

Scott said at a function recently coaching would always be an itch he would want to scratch.

“The only truthful answer that I can give you is there is always going to be a coaching itch … always. I don’t think that will ever go,” Scott said.

“The choice is do you choose to scratch that itch? That is not something I have contemplated to this point.”

Scott said he had relished the senior position at the AFL this season.

“I love the role at the AFL. I see the really important role,” Scott said.

“The game has given me so much, this role is partly giving a bit back to the game.”

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Originally published as Essendon coaching search: Brad Scott to interview for top job at Bombers