Geelong great and current Football Director at GWS Jimmy Bartel is interested in a change of scenery and has opened up on possibly running for the opening AFL football boss role to replace Brad Scott.
Scott was appointed as Essendon's head coach on Thursday, leaving the Head of Football role after only one year at AFL house.
Bartel has experience in all facets of the game. He was a champion at Geelong, retiring in 2016 after 305 games and three premierships. After a short break, he worked at the Brisbane Lions for half of 2018 before he joined the board at GWS. He also oversaw the appointment of Adam Kingsley as the new Giants head coach.
The 38-year-old is also heavily involved in the media and has stayed in touch with the small changes the game is experiencing.
Bartel spoke to Sportsday about the possibility of exploring a new opportunity.
“Yeah, I think I would be interested,” he said of potentially succeeding Scott.
“You know my passion for the game and administration; that's why I do my work for the Giants, I've had some involvement with the Brisbane Lions and experience being on the board of the Players' Association, so I would listen to that (if the offer came).
“I wouldn't be much younger than when Brad Scott went into it, but I think having the different experiences down at Geelong, two interstate clubs, northern clubs, has clearly opened my thinking and education on the game.
“Obviously my involvement with the Players' Association, the AFL Tribunal and a number of other little subcommittees… you'd always listen to that phone call, wouldn't you?”
Scott took over the role after Steve Hocking's departure midway through last season.