Gerard Healy believes he knows just the man to take the reigns at Collingwood.
Healy has named Mark Williams as the coach Collingwood should pursue to replace Nathan Buckley.
Williams has been a key factor behind Melbourne's rise this season and has been widely praised for his work in recent years. He was also instrumental in his time at Richmond to help lead them to their success.
The 2004 premiership coach is largely credited with helping Dustin Martin take his football to the next level.
Healy believes Williams would be the perfect fit for the job in the small to medium term.
I wouldn’t know, but I would be thinking strongly about Mark Williams,” he said on Sportsday.
“I just think he’s the right age for two or three years.
“I think it will be a challenging appointment for whoever takes it, but he’d be one I’d strongly consider.”
Ross Lyon, Alastair Clarkson, Chris Scott and Sam Mitchell are some of the names being thrown around for the first vacant role of the season. It seems very, very unlikely Chris Scott will leave Geelong while Alastair Clarkson recently said he wouldn't be leaving the Hawks.
“I’m contracted at Hawthorn next year and I think I’ve spoken about this,” Clarkson said.
“This happens every year, I dare say for the last 10 – and I don’t say that in an arrogant fashion. Every time there is some sort of movement with a coach, my name is linked to it.
“I haven’t moved for 10 years and I dare say I won’t be moving this time either.
“My focus is purely on the Hawthorn footy club and I’m still contracted. I want to see this out because of the players we have got here, I am invested in.”
Williams is a largely skills based coach who loves teaching those around him about executing their skills.
That strategy is one the Pies could greatly benefit from going forward and Williams has proven in his time at the Dees in a head of development role that he can get the best out of young talent.
Robert Harvey has taken over the Pies for the rest of the season.