Essendon’s coaching shortlist is taking shape ahead of the next round of interviews.
The Bombers have whittled their choices down to four candidates, with Dean Solomon’s decision this week set to determine whether he’s the fifth.
Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham, Adelaide coaching director Murray Davis, Sydney assistant Mark McVeigh, and club great James Hird are the four who have made it to the next stage.
Solomon’s decision is imminent, with the interim coach currently weighing up whether he should throw his hat into the ring for the permanent gig.
Essendon said at the beginning of the process it will bring subject matter experts in for specific steps of the process.
The next stage of interviews will involve specific people connected to the coaching world, external to the club.
The Bombers are conducting a layered process and will dive deeper into each candidate’s skills and philosophies in the next fortnight. Candidates will be asked to present at least once.
It’s understood Davis, currently at the Crows, impressed the panel in his initial 45-minute chat.
All candidates were asked general questions around their readiness to coach, their philosophies on coaching, coaching the club as a whole, their leadership styles, and how they handle pressure.
Graham is also in the mix for the Carlton job, alongside Corey Enright and James Kelly, who chose to prioritise the Blues job ahead of the Bombers vacancy.
The final four candidates*
Jaymie Graham (Fremantle assistant)
James Hird (club great and former Essendon coach)
Mark McVeigh (Sydney assistant and former Essendon star)
Murray Davis (Adelaide coaching director and former Brisbane assistant)
Dean Solomon* (Essendon interim coach and Essendon premiership player)