Shaw in box seat for Roos

Rival coaches still being urged to interview ... but good luck

NORTH Melbourne’s board met last night with its coaching search a key agenda item as Rhyce Shaw’s appointment grows closer.

Interim coach Shaw jumped one hurdle with a successful formal interview with the coaching sub-committee late on Monday afternoon.

The Roos remain adamant they will interview other candidates formally, having already sounded out prospective applicants.

AFL Coaches’ Association chief executive Mark Brayshaw said yesterday he had already advised at least one prospect he should commit to the process despite Shaw’s strong position.

Shaw is certain to win the job, with the club aware of the challenges of interviewing applicants who know they will not win the role.

No decision is expected at the board meeting given the continuing process, but the Roos will likely appoint Shaw before the end of the homeand-away season.

It was reported last month player power was expected to see Shaw win the job.

Brayshaw said yesterday he had advised rival assistant coaches that they should go for the job even if they believed they were a stalking horse for Shaw’s appointment.

“I have already advised one anonymous coach when he asked me that very question and my view is that there is nothing wrong with it at all. Ken Hinkley and Leon Cameron applied for several jobs and didn’t get them. You are never going to get one unless you put your hand up,” he said.

“What you must do is ask for comprehensive feedback if you miss out. You are also entitled to be sceptical about North Melbourne and make sure the club isn’t wasting their time so as long as they get robust feedback it is very helpful to them in the long run.”

Under Shaw the Roos have won four of the last six games, including a five-point loss to Essendon and last week’s harrowing loss to the Lions where a key decision went against North Melbourne.