NORTH Melbourne is looking for a senior coach who can coach "the modern game" and will enter its selection process without any preconceived ideas of who that is, according to club president Dr Sonja Hood. 

There are established options for the club to consider with significant romance attached, with club greats John Longmire and Adam Simpson sure to be canvassed. 

But first-time coaches like Steven King (Melbourne) and caretaker-turned-coach Josh Fraser (Carlton) have this year shown what fresh thinking can do for a club. 

A strong field of first-time coaches have been assessed and considered in 2026 by Essendon and Carlton, while West Coast and Richmond have also revealed to the market who some of the leading assistants are through their recent searches.

On Wednesday, AFL.com.au's Damian Barrett says his early indications are the Roos will lean towards a rookie coach.

"I understand why people's minds go straight to Adam Simpson and John Longmire ... but I feel they will go down, at least at the outset, the path of looking at an untried candidate," Barrett said.

"I'm not as big as others are that it's going to be one of Longmire or Simpson. They are clearly younger (than Clarkson) but they are still in that older category and they have been there and done it.

"I think there's enough vibrancy with the untried candidates ... I feel they will be looking at that."

As North Melbourne prepares to start its search for Alastair Clarkson's replacement, AFL.com.au assesses the field.  

John Longmire 

As Sydney's executive director of club performance, Longmire has remained heavily engaged in the game since stepping down as the Swans' senior coach at the end of 2024. His record during a 14-year run as Sydney coach highlights his ability to drive sustained contention, with the Swans playing finals in all but two of those seasons, and in five Grand Finals, winning the flag in 2012. A North Melbourne premiership player in 1999 and leading goalkicker between 1990-1994, Longmire is North Melbourne royalty and would make a celebrated return to the club if he pursued the job and was appointed. 

Adam Simpson 

A premiership coach with West Coast in 2018, Simpson has showcased his sharp tactical mind since joining the media ranks in 2025 and undoubtedly remains an option for clubs if he decides to pursue senior opportunities again. A premiership player with North Melbourne in 1996 and 1999, there would be romance in a return to Arden Street for Simpson, who played 306 games for the club and is a former captain and club champion. Led the Eagles to six consecutive finals series between 2015-2020 before a slide down the ladder that ended his tenure in the west after 242 games, with a winning rate of 50.62 per cent. 

Jaymie Graham

Long regarded as a senior coach of the future, Graham was among the final contenders for the Carlton job won by Josh Fraser and also put his hat in the ring for the Essendon job, impressing through both selection processes and no doubt learning plenty. In charge of the Dockers' powerful forward line, Graham has proven his credentials through a long apprenticeship that started in 2012 and included stints with St Kilda and West Coast, while also coaching his own team at WAFL level. Complemented his coaching with an education degree and is a major reason behind the development of the Dockers' young tall forwards.

Corey Enright

Previously viewed as the likely successor to Ross Lyon at St Kilda, Enright has been courted by rival clubs as an assistant and encouraged to apply for senior positions, reaching the pointy end of the Carlton process. As the Saints' head of strategy and gameplan, Enright was linked with the Melbourne vacancy won by Steven King but pulled out of the race to continue with the Saints, where he has also spent time as backline coach. Also spent five years as an assistant with Geelong before joining the Saints in 2021, developing under Chris Scott. Another who brings significant experience in successful programs based on his triple-premiership career over 332 games with Geelong.  

James Kelly

A highly impressive assistant, Kelly was one of the final four contenders for the Carlton position this year and also went close to landing the Melbourne vacancy last season before continuing to develop this year under Chris Scott. In his fifth season at GMHBA Stadium, Kelly had a stellar playing career with the Cats and won three premierships before finishing his career with the Bombers and moving into coaching. Was part of the Cats' 2022 premiership as a coach and brings significant experience and IP from an incredibly successful program. 

Hayden Skipworth

Missed the West Coast job narrowly to Andrew McQualter and was a leading contender for last year's Melbourne vacancy before pulling out of the race. Highly regarded for his tactical nous, the 43-year-old held conversations with the Blues this year and has completed a long and diverse apprenticeship designed specifically to prepare him for senior coaching. Has taken charge of AFL programs at both Essendon and Collingwood for pre-season periods, run academy programs, and been an assistant on every line. Development has included leadership courses at Harvard and Columbia Universities, and development opportunities with NBA and English Premier League clubs. 

Cameron Bruce

As Chis Fagan's senior assistant and midfield coach at Brisbane through back-to-back premierships and three straight Grand Finals, the 46-year-old has been an important part of the Lions' success. He was also a development coach and assistant through Hawthorn's three-peat under Alastair Clarkson and had a stint with the Blues. Viewed internally as a future senior coach, he was the AFL Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year in 2025.  

Daniel Giansiracusa

A gun assistant coach who made the move from Essendon to Hawthorn ahead of this season to lead the Hawks' development program in a switch that has enhanced his senior coaching prospects. A leading contender for several jobs, he chose not to pursue the West Coast vacancy, was among the five coaches who went through the Melbourne process, and was considered by the Blues back in 2021 and again this year. Has built a strong coaching foundation by leading his own team at VFL level, taking charge of all lines as an assistant with the Western Bulldogs and then Bombers, and travelling to develop as a coach. Was the AFL Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year in 2020.   

James Rahilly 

A tactically astute coach who has spent time at both Adelaide and Geelong, Rahilly was the AFLCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2023 and has emerged as a senior candidate in recent seasons. The 47-year-old is one of Chris Scott's trusted assistants and was a coach of interest for Carlton this year. Played 90 games for the Cats between 1998 and 2005 before moving into development coaching and then line coaching under Scott from 2011. Has also held roles in charge of opposition and strategy and head of development in a well-rounded apprenticeship. 

Brendon Lade

Among the five coaches considered by Melbourne at the pointy end of its search last year, Lade is now with the Western Bulldogs as a senior assistant and overseeing the midfield group. Started his coaching career with Richmond in 2010 and has stints with Port Adelaide and St Kilda. Was also interviewed by Essendon in 2022 and has long been seen as a future senior coach. A former Port Adelaide best and fairest and two-time All-Australian, Lade has also focused on stoppages and opposition strategy, and other key coaching program responsibilities. 

Murray Davis 

The surprise contender in the Essendon coaching search this year, Davis has built a strong reputation in the industry through his 13 years with Brisbane and recent move to Adelaide, where he has become an influential figure and trusted lieutenant for Matthew Nicks. The 51-year-old has declared he is ready to be a senior coach, having held a variety of football department roles and helped pick Brisbane up when it was at the foot of the ladder. Also coached NT Thunder to a NEAFL premiership in 2011. 

Brett Montgomery

Among the game's most experienced assistants, Montgomery was among the leading contenders for the West Coast vacancy after enhancing his credentials as the GWS backline coach. Having recently parted ways with the Giants, he has coached at Carlton, the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide, building strong relationships with his players and an accountable edge to his coaching. Brings experience of successfully rebuilding a club from the bottom up and has been strongly endorsed by Adam Kingsley as a potential senior coach, leading the GWS backline, team defence, and the club's leadership program, which is designed to foster team connection, culture, and personal growth.

Shaun Grigg

The Richmond 2017 premiership player has chosen his path wisely in coaching, learning under Chris Scott for four seasons and leading the midfield in the 2022 premiership before shifting north in late 2023 to continue his development under Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast. Was chosen as an assistant to Scott with Victoria's State of Origin team in another nod to his credentials, impressing insiders with his strategic nous and ability to communicate with players. Played 214 games with Carlton and Richmond and got everything out of himself. 

Other contenders

Decorated former Collingwood player and coach Nathan Buckley is back in the game with Geelong as an assistant and keen to return as a senior coach. Brisbane head of football Danny Daly has a coaching background and is incredibly highly regarded in the industry, with the potential he could follow Chris Fagan's path from football administration to senior coaching. Scott Burns is among the game's most experienced assistants and is a tactical coach who also builds strong relationships, helping steer Adelaide to the minor premiership last year and boasting experience with West Coast, Collingwood and Hawthorn. Troy Chaplin was interim coach at Melbourne and chose not to pursue the vacancy last year. He is viewed as a coach of the future. Ash Hansen is an assistant on the rise, while Hawthorn's Adrian Hickmott and David Hale, Collingwood's Matthew Boyd, and the Bulldogs' Daniel Pratt could emerge as contenders.