A burgeoning assistant coach has reportedly withdrawn his name from Richmond's ongoing head-coaching search, another is thought to be a growing chance at securing the top job at Tigerland, while the current interim has shared an update on his candidacy.
Following Damien Hardwick's early-season departure from Punt Road, Richmond appears set on sourcing a new coach by the season's end; in time to fully integrate himself in this year's player movement space, as well as November's drafts.
SEE ALSO: AFL confirms 2023 trade period, free agency, and draft dates.
Highly-regarded Port Adelaide assistant Josh Carr, who was considered a popular name among Richmond's higher-ups, has reportedly withdrawn from the process.
Carr, who played in the Power's groundbreaking 2004 premiership, is understood to be keen on staying at Alberton going forward, according to AFL.com.au reporter Cal Twomey.
Carr's apparent staying put at Port Adelaide fuels the questions hanging over off-contract coach Ken Hinkley's future at the club. Many expected a decision on Hinkley's future to come by the beginning of August, however, two weeks into the month and it remains quiet on all fronts at Alberton, with a crucial finals series awaiting Port in September.
After stamping a club-record-breaking winning streak earlier this season, Hinkley's Power has lost its last four games as it prepares for an important Sunday bout with GWS.
According to Twomey, Hawthorn assistant Chris Newman, who captained Richmond from 2009-12, is an increasing chance of securing the Tigers gig.
The ex-Tigers skipper has spent the past eight seasons plying his coaching trade with the Hawks, including leading their VFL side, Box Hill.
Newman, as well as the likes of Essendon's Daniel Giansiracusa, Collingwood's Hayden Skipworth, and Gold Coast's Steven King, reportedly finds himself on Richmond's subject-to-change shortlist of coaching candidates.
Meanwhile, interim coach McQualter addressed the media on Saturday afternoon at Punt Road, informing reporters he'd also 'been shortlisted' for the attractive role.
"It's progressed and I got some information yesterday that I had been shortlisted for the job, so for the next stage we'll figure out where it goes from there," McQualter said on Saturday.
While an exciting development for McQualter, 'Mini' made sure to express he 'can't' be distracted by the prospect of earning the permanent position amid Richmond's ongoing fight for a finals seed.
"It can't (distract me), I just don't allow it to," McQualter said.
"It is not about me. We have just got a job to do as a team and as a club. We have a great coaching staff and we are working together each week to help the team and I just can't make it about me right now."
Richmond meets St Kilda on Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium, with the Tigers needing to win each of their final trio of home and away matches to have any chance of sneaking into the top-eight by season's end.