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Sport Nation
The contenders: 12 names in the mix to replace Goodwin
Sam Edmund • August 5th, 2025 12:45 pm
Simon Goodwin’s sacking as Melbourne coach has immediately turned the conversation to: Who will be his replacement?
Will the Demons go for a tried and true, experienced coach? Or will they go after a first-time senior coach?
There are plenty of candidates in the mix including premiership coaches and those working on their craft as an assistant.
See the list of contenders below:
JOHN LONGMIREOne of the best coaches of the modern era, steering Sydney to 12 finals series, four Grand Finals and a premiership in 14 seasons.
ADAM SIMPSONSpent 11 years as coach of West Coast, guiding the Eagles to two Grand Finals and ultimately, the 2018 premiership. Earned a reputation as one of the sharpest tactical minds in the game.
KEN HINKLEYProven motivator and reinventor who will soon sign off after a dozen years at Port Adelaide. Six finals series, but four preliminary final defeats.
NATHAN BUCKLEYCollingwood icon who coached the club between 2012-2021, inheriting the job in volatile circumstances from Mick Malthouse. Created his own blueprint, however, reinventing the side for a push to the 2018 Grand Final and 2019 preliminary final. Keen to coach again.
DANNY DALYChris Fagan’s right-hand man at the Lions and long thought of as a senior coach in-waiting. Has to be a contender.
DANIEL PRATTPart of the next wave of coaches in the competition and the AFLCA assistant coach of the year last season at the Western Bulldogs. Took charge of the West Coast backline in 2018, which stunned the competition with its “Weagles’ Web” game plan. Currently the backline coach at the Dogs.
ADRIAN HICKMOTTPart of the next wave of coaches in the competition. Development coach at Essendon, assistant at West Coast and now, the forwards coach at Hawthorn.
ASHLEY HANSENCarlton’s senior assistant coach often linked to vacant coaching positions and highly respected at Ikon Park where he has sat in for Michael Voss. Coached the Western Bulldogs to the 2016 VFL premiership.
BRETT MONTGOMERY'Monty’s' stocks have risen at GWS where he is Adam Kingsley’s right-hand man. In charge of the backline and team defence at the Giants.
STEVEN KINGVeteran assistant coach who was a strong contender for the West Coast job. Worked at St Kilda, Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast where he served as interim coach in the wake of Stuart Dew’s sacking. Currently a senior assistant alongside Chris Scott at Geelong.
COREY ENRIGHTEarmarked as Ross Lyon’s eventual replacement at St Kilda, the AFL Hall of Famer and Saints’ head of game plan and strategy has many fans at Moorabbin.
SHAUN GRIGGWorks alongside his Richmond premiership coach Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast where he’s in charge of the Suns’ elite midfield. Spent four years at Geelong.
