The main candidates to take over from Mark Neeld as coach of AFL club Melbourne.
THE OBVIOUS
MARK WILLIAMS
The initial favourite. Coached Port Adelaide to their only premiership in 2004 and now an assistant at Richmond after a stint working under Kevin Sheedy at GWS. Proven operator, but had a messy end at the Power.
RODNEY EADE
Narrowly missed out on a premiership in lengthy stints as senior coach at Sydney and the Western Bulldogs. Now working alongside Nathan Buckley at Collingwood. Street-smart and works well with young players.
PAUL ROOS
Has repeatedly said he is not interested in returning to senior coaching, but he wouldn’t be the first to change his mind. Coached Sydney to the 2005 flag and has a massive reputation in the game.
JOHN WORSFOLD
Speculation continues to rise that the 2006 premiership coach will leave the Eagles at the end of this season. If he does go, could Melbourne entice him across from Perth? Adding to his credibility, reinvented West Coast after they finished last in 2010.
THE LEFT-FIELD
* Dean Laidley, Mark Thompson, Mark Harvey, Matthew Knights, Gary Ayres, Brett Ratten – all experienced senior coaches.
* Alan Richardson, Scott Burns – it’s highly unlikely Melbourne will go with an untried coach, but Richardson and Burns are highly-regarded in the industry.
* Neil Craig – will most likely only coach the Demons until the end of the season.
* Kevin Sheedy – surely the old lion will never coach an AFL side again after this season. But who knows what might happen if the mood suddenly takes him.
CENTREBET MARKET
$3.50 Williams
$4 Eade, Craig
$7 Ratten, Burns
$10 Sheedy
$12 Richardson
$15 Roos
SPORTSBET MARKET
$4.25 Williams
$5 Roos
$9 Worsfold
$10 Richardson
$11 Eade
$12 Ratten, Craig