Bolter emerges for Eagles coach vacancy on back of ‘very good apprenticeship’

Collingwood assistant coach Hayden Skipworth has emerged as a genuine contender for the vacant head coaching role at West Coast, it has been revealed.

Channel 7’sRyan Daniels broke the news on Monday evening, with Skipworth not previously seen or acknowledged as a candidate for the role left by premiership coach Adam Simpson in early July.

Currently the sole vacancy in the top job at an AFL club, the Eagles have had over two months to refine and interview for the role – but it perhaps hasn’t been as big a pool of contenders as they would have liked in a perfect world.

Watch every game until the 2024 AFL Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Both high-profile coaches and those with strong affiliation to the Eagles have turned down the offer to be a part of the headhunt, including the likes of Nathan Buckley, Dean Cox, Ashley Hansen, Josh Carr, Daniel Giansiracusa and Jaymie Graham.

Interim caretaker Jarrod Schofield was once seen as the lead candidate for the role, but 65 and 93-point losses to close out his side’s season look to have severely dented his chances of being selected in the seat.

Speaking to the news on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, Gerard Whateley assessed where he believes he race now sits.

“They’re in the phase where it would feel like four coaches going through the last step – Skipworth, Steven King, Rhett Montgomerie and Andrew McQualter, and the tea leaves say that this has moved in Skipworth’s direction,” Whateley said.

“Well, I’m not drinking any of the tea leaves, I haven’t seen any of the tea leaves Gerard to be honest,” Herald Sun Chief Footballer Writer Mark Robinson replied.

“All I know is what I’ve been reading; I read last week that Steven King was favourite, got told over the weekend that Andrew McQualter’s looking really good – and now you’re telling me Monday night that the West Australian journos are saying that Hayden Skipworth (has) now rocketed to favouritism.

“I know Skipworth’s pretty well respected; he was at Essendon, then at Collingwood – so if he gets a job, well done – he’s done a very, very good apprenticeship.

Skipworth has been at the Magpies since 2020, and has also led the club’s talent academy.

The 41-year-old also played 55 AFL games across Adelaide and Essendon – with the latter a club where Skipworth coached their VFL team and was among their top side.

Star intercept defender Tom Barrass (linked to Hawthorn) and veteran Jack Darling (North Melbourne) look set to depart the club next month, with the Eagles expected to head slightly backwards still before going forward amid a lengthy rebuild.