Good news doesn’t sell newspapers. That little proverb is no truer than the recent reporting around the next coach for the West Coast Eagles. I mean, there must be a reason that every candidate and their dog has withdrawn from the race.
Clearly, the West Coast gig isn’t worth taking. The team only had five wins this year and were in a handful of other games playing exciting young talent in the richest club in the land, with the best facilities. Clearly no growth potential there. And Clarko must be showing early signs of dementia by calling the West Coast coaching role a great role, and people should be jumping at the chance to get it. What does that guy know about footy?
Who would want to board that train wreck? Well, apparently a lot of people including Ash Hansen, Jaymie Graham, Ken Hinkley, Nathan Buckley, Daniel Giansiracusa, Josh Carr and Dean Cox. And you know what, I can see it from their point of view – why leave a successful club and come to the Eagles, who have never achieved anything in four decades. Giansiracusa, in particular, would be a fool to leave The Hangar when they are clearly a top-four side for a few weeks every season.
With all the names above apparently ruled out, that doesn’t leave a lot of people left in the recruitment pool – maybe West Coast can beg one of the following to come and join this poor, down-and-out club that wins a premiership every decade. Andrew McQualter, Brett Montgomery, and Jarrad Schofield – please show them some charity. I know it’s clearly a poisoned chalice, but please give back to the game that has given you so much.
Okay, now I’ve got that out of the way, I’ll take my tongue which is firmly lodged in my cheek and answer the question – who will be coaching West Coast when round 1, 2025 rolls around?
Hand me on tinfoil hat, sir
Well, you’ve heard all the likely candidates so far, but let me give you a spicy take that might heat up the comment section faster than a Carolina Reaper chilli. I believe the next coach might be completely unexpected. Allow me to give you two names that may have you thinking whether I have recently sustained a MacKay-like illness.
- Mr I am extremely happy where I am
This someone said they will not be applying for the senior coaching role in Perth and who has declared that they are extremely happy where they are. Now, I know it’s very rare for people to contradict themselves in the media, especially if they want to avoid the noise when their team is contending for a flag, but all I am saying is this person may do a backflip after the season ends. Now, I don’t want to name names, but it’s Dean Cox. And I don’t think he will be the only one to have a change of heart come October.
Despite the narrative playing out that there is a line firmly struck through his name, I think he’s very gettable. Sure, he’s the assistant coach at the very successful Sydney Swans, and is considered the next in line for the head role, but when is that going to be, considering John Longmire, at the age of 53, shows no signs of slowing down? He has fantastic credentials with a long apprenticeship under Horse, is a West Coast premiership hero and is loved by the entire supporter base. Plus, the buckets of cash he could earn compared to being an assistant in the most expensive city in Australia might be a temptation.
- The biggest coup since Napolean
If you asked me who out of all the current and potential coaches would be my dream pick to take the helm at West Coast, I have one name in mind that triumphs the rest. The best in the business and potentially to ever do it.
I think this person is very high on the radar at the Eagles and if there isn’t at the very least a conversation being had, I would be appalled.
Now, before I name this individual, I want you to keep an open mind about what the next few years look like with their current side. There are 11 players (and many of them stars) on their list that are northwards of 30 years of age. There is no way that they will be about to retool on the run in the next few years without a discernible dip. I’m not saying they’ll bottom out, but they’ll lose their juggernaut status, so maybe jumping ship now might seem like a good idea? I am speaking about none other than Chris Scott.
He’s contracted for two more seasons at the Cattery, but is there a chance they might mutually agree to terminate it given his fantastic service to Geelong over the past 14 years, especially since they’re heading for a new dawn?
We already know Chris Scott is partial to a tan, so some time in the West Aussie sun might be appealing.
The case for Schofield
Disclaimer: I bloody love what Schofield is doing at West Coast. He’s helped salvage what looks to be a very bleak end of 2024 to something all West Coast fans can be proud of. With two wins on the run and a third one more a real possibility against the decimated Blues, he’s putting together a very strong case for himself.
Premierships as a player and a coach – Schofield obviously knows what is required to get the job done. He’s also, by all appearances, a bit of fresh air for West Coast as the senior players are not only being held to account by being dropped for poor performances, but they are responding to it by standing up in the big moments to help get their young side across the line, as they did against the Suns at home and North in Tasmania, a place they have not won in 12 years.
He is enthusiastic, is the only person to publicly say he wants the job, seems to have buy-in and is cherished by the playing group. Definitely not the worst choice the Eagles could make.
However, as much as I like the man, I just don’t see it happening. The Eagles are an ambitious lot and will be striving to recruit the very best. I also think the likes of Teague and Shaw have dulled the lustre of a well performing interim coach, and it might put them off from potentially repeating history.
