Essendon have narrowed their search for the club's next head coach, with six candidates identified to receive a phone call as part of the selection process. No interviews have taken place yet, according to Channel 7's The Agenda Setters.
The Six Candidates
The list includes former Essendon player and coach James Hird, who is the only candidate not currently working as an AFL assistant. Hird is coaching standalone VFL club Port Melbourne. The remaining five candidates are current assistant coaches: Hayden Skipworth (Collingwood), James Kelly (Geelong), Corey Enright (St Kilda), Jaymie Graham (Fremantle), and Mark McVeigh (Sydney).
McVeigh's Situation
Mark McVeigh may need to decide whether to proceed, given his family is settled in Sydney after long stints with GWS and the Swans. McVeigh and Bombers president Andrew Welsh remain close from their playing days, but other key figures at Essendon also hold him in high professional regard.
Other Candidates' Backgrounds
Hayden Skipworth, who played at the Bendigo Bombers, currently oversees Collingwood's strategy. James Kelly represented Essendon at the tail end of his playing career and start of his coaching career before returning to Geelong. It's believed the club has reached out to Kelly's manager, Tom Petroro from TGI Sports, though Kelly has not yet been spoken to directly. Jaymie Graham ran close for the Collingwood job in 2021, which eventually went to Craig McRae ahead of Adam Kingsley.
Selection Process
Essendon CEO Tim Roberts is handling the bulk of the work, contacting management groups and formulating a shortlist. The club is waiting on an answer from interim coach Dean Solomon, expected before the end of July, on whether he wishes to partake in the process. Solomon is contracted through 2027 and has said he will remain at Tullamarine regardless.
Ken Hinkley's Stance
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has publicly stated he won't be part of the Essendon process until the Hird question is answered. Hinkley is also one of Tasmania's three key targets for their new AFL team. He has remained close to Solomon since they spent time together at the Suns 15 years ago under Guy McKenna. Essendon tried to lure Hinkley into a senior football department role last year, which he declined, and there is a chance they'd try again if he misses out on the Tasmania job.
John Longmire's Prospects
It's understood Sydney premiership coach John Longmire's focus on the Tasmania job makes him a long shot to coach Essendon. If he fails with the Devils' process, there remains scope for him to swoop in late at the Bombers, though this scenario remains unlikely.
There remains a chance the Bombers will add more names to this list before interviews commence.
