Highly rated assistant Hayden Skipworth has removed himself as a candidate for the Melbourne coaching job.
The Demons had the Collingwood assistant on a shortlist of six candidates led by Nathan Buckley, who presented for the job at the MCG on Monday.
A competition source with knowledge of the situation, who wanted to remain anonymous, said Skipworth removed himself from the process as he wanted to continue his development in certain areas under Magpies coach Craig McRae, to whom he is a senior assistant. He is also focusing on his fourth finals campaign at the Magpies as they prepare for the preliminary final next week.
Biding time: Magpies assistant Hayden Skipworth wants to develop furtherCredit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Buckley remains a strong favourite for the Melbourne job, although he remains on the Tasmania Devils radar, with the new club considering the former Magpie coach as their first coach.
Their interest in the 53-year-old, who coached Collingwood in 218 matches between 2012 and 2021, remains strong, although Buckley may prefer to jump straight into the chair at Melbourne if he wins the job.
Other candidates for the Demons job are respected Cats assistants James Kelly and Steven King, Essendon’s Daniel Giansiracusa and the Bulldogs’ Brendon Lade.
The Demons hope to announce their new coach by preliminary final weekend as they need the coach to be part of key decisions on their list ahead of the trade period.
Melbourne sacked premiership coach Simon Goodwin with three rounds remaining after missing finals for the second consecutive season, and began interviews this week in the same week Paul Guerra officially began as CEO.
