John Worsfold would be a perfect fit at Fremantle, says club great Paul Hasleby

John Worsfold will finish up at Essendon at the end of the year. He has declared he wants to continue working in footy, but what is next for the experienced coach? A great thinks he would be a perfect fit at his former club.

Worsfold has taken a back seat as coaching incumbent Ben Rutten learns his craft. Picture: Getty Images

Essendon senior coach John Worsfold is looming as an attractive option for Fremantle to help bolster the club’s coaching for staff next season.

Worsfold, 51, is out of contract at Essendon later this year and has already declared he wants to continue working in football in 2021.

Fremantle will discuss Worsfold as a possible mentor and coaching director for first-year coach Justin Longmuir at season’s end, while Adelaide could also make an approach to him about a second stint at the Crows.

The highly-respected Bombers’ senior coach said he would make a call on his future in consultation with his family who reside in Perth.

Longmuir and Worsfold have already worked together at West Coast when Longmuir was an assistant coach from the end of 2011 until Worsfold departed in 2013.

Fremantle great Paul Hasleby told the Herald Sun Worsfold would be a “perfect” fit for the Dockers.

“I have worked with him in the past when he was my mentor at South Fremantle and I think he is just outstanding,” Hasleby said.

“He is process-driven, never gets emotional and any developing coach around the league would be stupid not to want to give him that opportunity.

“Not only as a mentor but also as a senior assistant to help with some other positions on the ground.”

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Could John Worsfold be heading west? Picture: Getty Images

Worsfold is one of Western Australian football’s most revered figures after winning three premierships as captain and coach at West Coast.

But he also has strong early links with Fremantle after going to high school and starting his football career at South Fremantle in the WAFL.

Worsfold has been lauded for his work at Essendon, helping steer the club out of the devastating drugs saga.

But Ben Rutten has taken over the team on match day this season as part of the succession plan and is tipped to coach solo next year.

Securing Worsfold would be a huge coup for the Dockers, but any talks would hinge significantly on whether the club could fit Worsfold in the football department soft cap.

Football department costs will be limited to about $6.3 million for next season.

The Dockers are expected to make some changes for next season to their coaching staff which includes David Hale (forwards), Josh Carr (midfield), Anthony Rock (stoppages), Michael Prior (defensive) and Simon Eastaugh (head of development).

Worsfold has taken a back seat as coaching incumbent Ben Rutten learns his craft. Picture: Getty Images

Worsfold remains the senior coach at Essendon, although Rutten drives the team on match day and is expected to perform more media duties in the back half of the season.

Worsfold said earlier in the year he wanted to stay in footy and would explore all options for next season.

“There is going to be a lot of restructuring around how things are going to look and what roles are there,” Worsfold said.

“That may mean there is an even greater opportunity for people that have been in the game for a long period of time and have some expertise across various roles within the football department.

“I feel as though I‘ve got a good handle on all areas of footy departments because I’ve been there for so long.

“That may be something that Essendon or other clubs are keen to explore.”

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Originally published as John Worsfold would be a perfect fit at Fremantle, says club great Paul Hasleby