Stuart Dew
The Swans' strategy and midfield coach is the bookies' favourite among the untried coaches for the Adelaide job. Paul Roos' attempts to secure him last year for the Melbourne job (now filled by Simon Goodwin) are viewed as an excellent endorsement of his value. Regarded for his delivery of messages to players and gameday insights.

Brendon Bolton
That Alastair Clarkson trusted him with Hawthorn this year is a huge tick of approval. Little-known before this season, the Hawks assistant and former Box Hill coach had the rare opportunity to prove he could manage his own team and a team of coaches in the five games Clarkson missed through illness. He was praised every step of the way and says he is ready to coach.

Brett Ratten
Has spent two seasons studying how the best in the business, Hawthorn, runs a daily program. Took the key role of 'stoppage coach' at the Hawks after six years as senior coach at Carlton where he finished with a 51 per cent winning record. Not having the pressure of being a Blue Boy would help his cause.

Mark Bickley
The romantic option for the Crows, being a two-time premiership captain. The theory that non-Adelaide people or outsiders don't get cut much slack would not be an issue for Bickley. Perhaps the most likely of the Crows' assistants.

Scott Burns
Was overlooked when Brenton Sanderson was appointed in 2012. Moved to Collingwood to become midfield coach this year after working at West Coast since 2009. Missed out on a promotion at the Eagles when John Worsfold moved on, but as Ken Hinkley and Alan Richardson proved, if you bang on the door enough times, eventually it might open.

Leigh Tudor
Another assistant with an extensive and varied apprenticeship. His luring to North Melbourne this year from Sydney, and also having spent time at St Kilda under Ross Lyon, was seen as a major positive for the Roos. Took charge of the midfield, an area of the ground where a number of the Roos' middle tier players took a step forward in their development.

Peter Sumich
Maybe one for those who subscribe to the Hinkley-Richardson "pay-your dues" theory. Has been over-looked for several jobs, including former club West Coast which left him "gutted". Now learning under Lyon at Fremantle. Still has the desire to take a top job somewhere.

And don't forget
Nathan Bassett, Essendon forward line coach; Luke Beveridge, Hawthorn back line coach; Brett Montgomery, Western Bulldogs assistant coach

Already ruled out

Mark Thompson
Still yet to work out his role at Essendon, and has been linked to Gold Coast, but was upset with the way Sanderson' s sacking was handled and says he would never take the job.

Michael Voss
Put his coaching skills back in the public eye in his role as the coach of the reality TV series The Recruit but says, at least for now, there is "way" he would coach or even be involved at a club next season.

John Worsfold
As soon as the Crows said they were looking for a premiership coach, the media rushed to canvass his interest in getting back into the game. Responded by saying "definitely not in the next 12 months".