THE BRISBANE Lions ramped up their coach search on Tuesday, with Brett Montgomery travelling north to be interviewed as one of three main candidates. 

Montgomery, who was also spoken to by the Lions in Melbourne last week, faced members of the club's selection panel, including new football manager David Noble.

The former Western Bulldogs assistant was one of four candidates spoken to in Melbourne last week by CEO Greg Swann and list manager Peter Schwab.

The other three were front-runner Chris Fagan, Carlton assistant John Barker, and Hawthorn assistant Brett Ratten, who has since pulled out of the race.

It is understood the Lions will again interview Fagan, Hawthorn's head of football, in the coming days.

Barker, however, is overseas for up to two weeks and will conduct any required interviews electronically before returning to Australia.

Montgomery, who is completing the AFL's Level Four accreditation course, threw his hat in the ring early for the Lions' position, vacated by sacked coach Justin Leppitsch. 

He was understood to be considering senior assistant positions elsewhere after meeting with the Lions last week, but was persuaded to go through the full interview process.

He has met with Richmond, which last week appointed fellow Level Four coach Blake Caracella and is still on the lookout for multiple assistants to support Damien Hardwick. 

The Lions' coach search has narrowed significantly after multiple strong candidates chose not to apply, believing it was a two-horse race. 

The five-person panel to select the new coach includes Noble, Swann and Schwab.

Rounding out the panel is club great Simon Black and consultant and psychologist Matti Clements, who was a member of the panel that selected St Kilda coach Alan Richardson.