Laidley's replacement: the contenders

DEAN Laidley’s shock resignation as North Melbourne coach on Tuesday has opened the door for a number of contenders to take the reins at Arden Street in 2010.

North is expected to canvass a host of potential applicants, with several former favourite sons among those likely to voice their interest.

Here are six leading contenders:

Darren Crocker
The former premiership Roo was installed as caretaker coach immediately after Tuesday's announcement. He joined Laidley’s coaching panel at end of 2004 after five seasons as an assistant at Richmond. Has also coached his own side – Port Melbourne – in 1999. Has primarily been involved with coaching the Kangas’ backline in recent years and is known to have a terrific rapport with the list’s younger players.

Damien Hardwick
Is in his fifth year as an assistant at Hawthorn and is regarded among the competition’s finest coaches-in-waiting. Played in a premiership with Port Adelaide before Alastair Clarkson immediately offered him a spot on the Hawks’ coaching panel. Played in flags with Essendon and the Power and, importantly, has a connection with Arden Street, having played in an under-19s premiership with the Kangas. Was just pipped by Matthew Knights for the Bombers' coaching role.

John Longmire
The man known as ‘Horse’ is one of the club’s favourite sons. Has been Paul Roos’ right-hand man since 2002 and was elevated to the position of coaching co-ordinator in 2007, with many believing he is Roos' obvious successor. Part of North Melbourne’s 1999 premiership team.

Nathan Buckley
The former Collingwood champion has been linked to nearly every coaching job since he hung up his boots. Speculation has only increased since he announced earlier this year he was ready to take the plunge into the coaching. Has started coaching this year by taking control of the Vic Country under-16 team, with a view to stepping to AFL level. North Melbourne chief executive Eugene Arocca was chief operating officer at the Magpies during much of Buckley’s time at the Lexus Centre.

John Blakey
The former utility played 359 VFL/AFL games with Fitzroy and North Melbourne, and was a dual premiership player with the Kangas. Switched to the coaching box – first under Leigh Matthews at the Brisbane Lions – before heading further south to the Sydney Swans at the end of 2006.

David King
Another dual premiership player with North, King retired at the end of 2004 and joined Terry Wallace's new coaching staff at Richmond right away. Now in his fifth season as an assistant coach at that club, King will need to decide which senior post he's best pursuing – given Wallace has also departed.

OTHERS TO CONSIDER:

Leigh Matthews
There is no more highly credentialled man to take the reins at any club than the four-time premiership coach. Matthews resigned his post at the Brisbane Lions last year, bringing to an end of the most successful partnerships in recent history. In 2009 he has returned to his media work but one would would think he would at least have to be sounded out by any club looking for a new coach.

Mark Williams
The Port Adelaide coach is still contracted and may yet re-sign with the Power beyond this season. But given the speculation surrounding Choco and his club’s recent form – and the fact Laidley and Williams are managed by the same man – the 2004 premiership coach’s name will also be linked to any vacant position as long as his future remains unclear.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.