West Coast fans are eager to see who will be their next senior coach after the recent departure of Adam Simpson merely weeks ago.
Favourite son Dean Cox was initially labelled as the front-runner before he pledged his commitment to the Swans as an assistant coach under John Longmire.
Former Eagles players Ashley Hansen's (Carlton assistant coach) and Jaymie Graham's (Fremantle) names have been thrown up in light given the trajectory they're on in their respective careers while Josh Carr (Port Adelaide) and Brett Montgomery (GWS) have the support from their superiors.
Even interim coach Jarrod Schofield has a chance to secure the job beyond the five remaining rounds.
However, a new, left-field name has been brought forward in West Coast's quest for a new senior coach.
SEE MORE: FIVE potential candidates for Eagles coaching gig
Current Power mentor Ken Hinkley has reportedly become the "number on target" in the Eagles' pursuit of a new figurehead.
Hinkley has been at the Power since 2013 and despite his extraordinary coaching record (59.77% win rate), is without a Grand Final appearance.
It is understood that the 57-year-old's time at the club is running out, with assistant Carr to be the likely successor either in 2025 or 2026.
SEN's Tim Gossage believes there has been a "shift" in what the Eagles are looking for in their next senior coach, and with that, comes the Hinkley interest.
โI think he is the number one target,โ Gossage toldย SEN WA Breakfast.
โI think the shift has been significant in the last 48 hours.
โI'm confident he is near the top of their shopping list. You can't come out and say he'll get the job because it is a massive process, but I do believe his name has soared into contention at West Coast.โ
A name to add to the @WestCoastEagles coaching search (from @XaviEllis18 on @TripleMPerth).
Danny Daly - GM of footy at @brisbanelions.
Highly respected - spent 5 years as an assistant at Richmond, then 6 at Brisbane as an assistant/head of strategy before moving into GM role.
— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) July 21, 2024
Brisbane GM of Football Danny Daly has also been indicated as a potential target for the Eagles coaching job.
Daly spent five years as an assistant coach at Richmond before moving to the Lions.
7 News' Ryan Daniels has flagged former Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew as a potential contender alongside Hinkley also.
"You can throw Stewie Dew into the net as well," Daniels told Triple M.
"Didn't probably get a clean run at the Gold Coast. Highly rated as a senior assistant was Stewie Dew."
Dew departed the Suns midway through last season after a difficult six seasons as senior coach.
