West Coast's senior coaching hunt remains in murky waters as no discernible favourite has emerged.
Eagles interim coach Jarrad Schofield and GWS assistant Brett Montgomery appear to be duking it out for the role, but should a left-field option be considered?
Port Adelaide 2004 premiership coach Mark Williams has been flagged as an ideal candidate given his managerial skillset amidst a club in rare waters.
The Eagles are going through their biggest shift in history, with the past three seasons being as forgetful as humanely possible.
Pundits believe that a seasoned, experienced coach should fill the role at the club that has arguably the most resources in the competition despite the options being bare.
Ashley Hansen (Carlton), Daniel Giansiracusa (Essendon), Josh Carr (Port Adelaide), and Dean Cox (Sydney) have all pledged their allegiances to their current club.
Andrew McQualter has been contacted for the role and will be contending alongside Schofield and Montgomery, who appear to be leading the charge, albeit untried in that space.
However, the pair's former Power teammate Darryl Wakelin believes it would be remiss of West Coast not to consider Williams in its hunt for a new senior coach.
โWhy can't a guy like him (do it)?โ Wakelin told SEN.
โHe is the best man manager, as far as spotting talent not only with footballers but with assistant coaches (and) conditioning coaches. If you look at his record, it's as good as any as far as spotting up-and-coming talent in the industry.
โAnd to bring a group together, to build a whole football department, he's as good as there was and ahead of his time, certainly in the early 2000s. It's bewildered me that Choco hasn't been given another gig. I'd love to see him get another gig.โ
Williams' resume speaks for itself, with over 40 years of experience in the industry and being a key part of successful organisations.
Williams began his coaching era in 1995 when he joined Essendon under the great Kevin Sheedy.
It didn't take him long before Port Adelaide snapped him up in 1997, and he then led until the 2010 season, when he claimed the only premiership cup to date.
What followed was stints at GWS (2011-2012), Richmond (2013-2016), Werribee VFL side (2019-2020) and Melbourne (2020-present), playing key roles in the development and subsequent success of all four clubs.
Williams has taken a significant developmental role in recent times, reflected by his award for the AFL Coaches Association's Development Coach of the Year, making for a perfect fit at the Eagles.
