A favourite for the vacant West Coast coaching job has emerged as the race to replace the departed Adam Simpson is narrowed to four candidates.
The Eagles are now over two months into their search for Simpson's successor, with a number of high-profile options deciding against pursuing the roe in favour of remaining at their current positions.
Sydney assistant Dean Cox, Carlton's Ashley Hansen, Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham and Port Adelaide's Josh Carr are among the names across the competition to turn down the Eagles' advances, while former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is another to knock back the option to take part in the process.
With West Coast having hoped to find a new senior coach by the end of September, the list of potential candidates is said to have shortened to four options, with Collingwood's Hayden Skipworth viewed as the frontrunner.
According toย 7 News Perth'sย Ryan Daniels, Skipworth is seen to be ahead of GWS' Brett Montgomery, Geelong's Steven King and Melbourne's Andrew McQualter.
Skipworth, a former player with Adelaide and Essendon, has been with Collingwood since the end of the 2019 season. He joined the Magpies from the Bombers after holding roles as a development and VFL coach at Tullamarine and has since helped lead the Magpies to a premiership under senior coach Craig McRae.
While King's Cats are still in pursuit of this year's premiership, the Geelong midfield coach could be a late bolter as the likes of Skipworth and McQualter work through their part in the Eagles' process.
Montgomery and GWS saw their 2024 campaign come to an end over the weekend.
The shortened list all but guarantees interim Jarrad Schofield has missed the cut to step into the permanent role following his seven-game stint in the wake of Simpson's exit.
West Coast's list planning also hinges on the appointment of their new coach, with the Perth club looming as a key player in this year's player movement space but currently restricted given the vacancy.
