Ex-Dog mentor chance for Suns

FORMER Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney has emerged as a left-field candidate to coach Gold Coast.

It is understood the Suns made contact with McCartney, 56, and spoke to him about a range of topics, including the AFL’s only vacant senior coaching role.

Gold Coast is still completing the first round of interviews and declined to comment.

McCartney led the Dogs from 2012-14 after spending 11 seasons at Geelong.

For the past three years he has headed Melbourne’s development program and been lauded for his competitive edge and work with the young Demons.

He has told Melbourne officials he still has ambitions to coach at the highest level.

Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen said as the Dogs prepared for last year’s Grand Final victory that McCartney deserved some of the credit.

“Macca had a big influence on the young players because he did have a good game style and he taught us a lot about contested ball, which we pride ourselves on,” Johannisen said.

“He had a big impact on that. The foundation was there and ‘Bevo’ [Luke Beveridge] has put that extra touch and extra belief into the players.”

The veteran coach is understood to be competing against a field of untried assistants.

A first-time coach is still seen as the most likely successor to Rodney Eade.

Highly regarded assistants John Barker (Carlton), Stuart Dew (Sydney), Adam Kingsley (St Kilda) and Jade Rawlings (Melbourne) are believed to be in the mix.

Saints midfield coach Kingsley is seen as one of the most intelligent assistants and came close to snaring Adelaide’s top job in 2015.

The Crows were impressed by Kingsley, but instead they plumped for Don Pyke.

Dew postponed his interview with the Suns until the club’s links to Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley became clearer. On Tuesday the Power extended Hinkley’s contract, paving the way for Dew to proceed.

Barker has long been considered the frontrunner.