Eagles’ coaching job the ‘plum’ role of AFL: Clarkson

Alastair Clarkson has described West Coast’s senior coaching role as the plum job of the competition, saying he would have jumped at the role if he was still an assistant.

The race to replace the departed Adam Simpson has turned into an intriguing ‘who wants it?’ battle.

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Dean Cox was the initial hot favourite before pulling himself out of the running.

Josh Carr, Jaymie Graham, Ash Hansen, Nathan Buckley and Daniel Giansiracusa have also followed suit in recent weeks.

Interim West Coast coach Jarrad Schofield is now the hot favourite to land the role full-time, especially after guiding the side to fighting wins over Gold Coast and North Melbourne during the past fortnight.

Former Richmond caretaker Andrew McQualter, GWS assistant Brett Montgomery and Bulldogs assistant Brendon Lade are still in the running.

The fact West Coast are still amid the biggest rebuild in the club’s history may be a factor in assistants from around the country being hesitant to apply for the role.

Clarkson, who won four flags at Hawthorn and is now North Melbourne’s coach, urged assistant coaches around the country to throw their hat in the ring.

“That’s the plum job in the competition. God, how could you want anything better?” Clarkson told SEN.

“They’re a really historically successful side, really well financed and supported, and they’re just going to go up.

“I’d be grabbing that as quickly as I could if I was an assistant coach out there.

Jarrad Schofield is acting coach of West Coast.Credit: Getty Images

“They’re the best resourced club in the competition.”

Schofield is now the ‘people’s choice’ for the top job after receiving widespread support from the club’s huge fan base.

The 49-year-old, who led WAFL club Subiaco to three flags from five appearances to grand finals, has already held informal talks with West Coast and is set to officially state his intention for the top job at the end of the season.

Schofield’s ability to turn West Coast into a tougher, more physical outfit has impressed the club’s hierarchy.

“I’ve always felt from the day I walked in that I’ve had a bond with the players,” Schofield told reporters on Thursday.

“I suppose the difference probably in the last six weeks is you get across to other lines.

“I’ve always been one to be a people’s person and build relationships.

“I’ve had that opportunity over the last six weeks or so to really sort of spread more, spread my love for the boys and I’m really enjoying that.”

Meanwhile, the future of 22-year-old midfielder Luke Edwards is up in the air due to concussion.

Edwards has suffered three concussions this year, and his 37-game career now on the line as he undergoes further tests.

Star defender Tom Barrass will miss a third straight match due to a lingering hamstring injury.

Barrass has been heavily linked with a move to Hawthorn at the end of the year, meaning he may have played his last game for West Coast.

Sunday’s match against injury-hit Carlton will mark Andrew Gaff’s 280th and final AFL appearance.

AAP

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