GOLD Coast is not expected to make a late approach to Richmond assistant Blake Caracella as it prepares to appoint its next senior coach as early as Thursday.
The Suns have narrowed their search down to leading assistants John Barker, Stuart Dew and Scott Burns, with interviews set to wrap up on Wednesday morning.
As of late Tuesday afternoon Caracella and his management had not been approached by the Suns, who were unlikely to expand their pool of candidates at this late stage.
Caracella had been speculated as a candidate for the Suns' job after playing a key role in the Tigers' premiership, revamping the team's offensive game style as midfield spread and ball movement coach.
However, the Tigers were also unaware of any official approaches to the 40-year-old as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Suns started their final round of interviews late last week and were expecting to finish by Wednesday morning on the Gold Coast.
CEO Mark Evans would then make his recommendation to the board, with an announcement expected as early as Thursday morning.
Burns has emerged late as a contender just four weeks after leaving Collingwood to accept an assistant role with Hawthorn.
It is understood the 42-year-old, who has been a serious contender for a number of senior roles since 2013, was encouraged by the Suns to join the process.
Barker, 42, was the early frontrunner for the Suns' job after running second to Chris Fagan for the Brisbane Lions' vacancy last year and earning strong reviews in the AFL's Level Four program.
Dew was also a strong performer as part of the first Level Four group and has firmed as a challenger in recent days.
The Sydney midfield and strategy coach was a serious contender for the Essendon and Adelaide positions won by John Worsfold and Don Pyke respectively, and he decided not to apply for the Brisbane Lions vacancy last year.
Gold Coast also spoke to highly rated assistants Adam Kingsley (St Kilda) and Jade Rawlings (Melbourne) and former Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney as part of its search.
The Suns' selection panel is led by Evans and includes football manager Marcus Ashcroft, former Adelaide coach Neil Craig, sports psychologist Matti Clements and former Western Bulldogs CEO and player Simon Garlick.
