Carlton assistant coach Ash Hansen quizzed on links to vacant West Coast senior role

Carlton senior assistant Ash Hansen has been quizzed on his links to the vacant West Coast coaching role, providing an insight into whether he would consider a return to Western Australia.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 26: Carlton assistant coach Ashley Hansen gives a radio interview before the round 20AFL match between Carlton Blues and Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium, on July 26, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Premiership Eagle Ash Hansen has sidestepped questions about his links to the senior coaching vacancy at West Coast.

Hansen, now senior assistant to Michael Voss at Carlton, has been strongly linked to the club where he featured in Grand Finals in 2005 and 2006.

One of the most highly-regarded assistants in the game, Hansen worked at Western Bulldogs and coached the club’s VFL side before crossing to the Blues.

Carlton’s senior assistant coach Ash Hansen. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“I think those opportunities can come along in this industry and I have had great opportunities, both at the Bulldogs and now at Carlton to continue to grow my coaching,” Hansen said on 3AW.

“I have certainly got a passion for it and coaching my own team in the VFL back at Footscray was a great eye-opener to the joy that the job can bring you and how you can influence others.

“It’s certainly a passion of mine and one day if those opportunities do open up I’ll certainly look to seek them. But it’s all about timing in this industry and doing the right thing by your family and the club you’re going to.”

Hansen and his brother Chris with the 2006 premiership trophy.

Hansen and premiership teammate Dean Cox were considered two of the frontrunners to return to their former club and succeed Adam Simpson, but Cox has declared he will stay at Sydney.

Port Adelaide assistant Josh Carr, who is considered a senior coach-in-waiting, has also ruled himself out of contention for the Eagles job.

Asked whether he was prepared to leave Victoria for a senior opportunity, Hansen said: “There’s a lot of interstate great clubs out there. We’re a national competition now and we have a 19th team coming in too.

“That’s what I said, there’s opportunities in this competition if you put your head down and do a really good job and be respectful and work hard … that’s been my mindset from the start and it’s served me well so far.

“I’ll continue to put my head down at the moment and serve the Carlton Football Club.”

Originally published as Carlton assistant coach Ash Hansen quizzed on links to vacant West Coast senior role