McCartney in the mix for big job with Suns

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

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

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

McCartney led the Dogs from 2012-2014 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 squad.

McCartney has told Melbourne officials that 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 that we can play some good footy.”

The veteran coach is 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.

Barker has long been considered the front-runner and led the Blues for 14 games in 2015 after Mick Malthouse was sacked.

Rawlings was appointed Richmond’s caretaker coach for 11 games back in 2009 after Terry Wallace was sacked.