Port Adelaide assistant Josh Carr is said to be 'rising in estimations' for Richmond's coaching search, potentially rivalling Tigers interim coach Andrew McQualter for the vacancy.
McQualter is seen as the short favourite for the role to succeed his ex-mentor and triple premiership coach Damien Hardwick, who resigned from his duties in May midway through his 14th season at the helm of the Punt Road club.
Since Hardwick's departure, the Tigers have recorded six wins from eight games under McQualter's watch to see their season back on track for a potential finals berth.
The turnaround has led McQualter to move into favouritism for the senior coaching job, however, his candidacy won't come unopposed.
Richmond is set to work through an extensive process to find their next coach, with a sub-committee to lead the search party to be finalised as early as this week.
Among the candidates that could be of interest to the Tigers is Carr, who has been seen as an influential presence on Port Adelaide's strong 2023 campaign. Carr returned to his former club as an assistant coach ahead of this season after three years with Fremantle under Justin Longmuir.
Carr has built a strong coaching CV since calling time on his premiership-winning 2017-game career with the Power and Dockers, having led SANFL side North Adelaide to a flag in his final year with the Roosters before heading to Perth.
Previously an assistant at Alberton from 2011-2015, Carr's second tenure with Port Adelaide has seen his stocks rise, with Richmond said to be showing some level of interest in the 43-year-old.
According to 7 News reporter Mitch Cleary, Carr has emerged as a competitor for McQualter as Richmond looks to "ramp up" its coaching search.
"Richmond has started inquiries around Port Adelaide assistant Josh Carr, who continues to rise in estimations for their coaching vacancy," Cleary said on Wednesday night.
"The Power premiership hero playing a pivotal role in their strong season to date. Just like Craig McRae, (Carr) has state league success.
"The Tigers will finalise their sub-committee in the coming days. The process, which will include caretaker coach Andrew McQualter, to ramp up next week."
Other candidates to potentially join McQualter and Carr include former Brisbane coach and Collingwood's head of strategy Justin Leppitsch and Melbourne assistant Adem Yze.
Yze himself recently expressed a level of interest in the Richmond role, noting he would be "crazy no to" pursue the vacancy if the Tigers showed mutual interest.
After missing out on senior coaching opportunities at GWS and Essendon last year, Yze said he hasn't lost his given up on his dream to step into the hot seat.
"I haven't lost faith," Yze told Triple M last week.
"I really enjoyed both processes I went through with Essendon and GWS, and I got really close.
"In the end it's just a learning experience for me. I've got things I've got to learn and work on, and I understand that. I'll keep pushing forward."
Richmond and McQualter will face Yze's Demon on Sunday at the MCG, with the Tigers a cache of moving into the top eight with a win over Melbourne.