Former Eagle Peter Sumich has concerns about the depth of candidates for the West Coast Eagles’ available coaching job after several names have withdrawn from contention.

Since the position has become vacant, several names including Sydney assistant and premiership Eagle Dean Cox and Port Adelaide assistant coach Josh Carr have ruled themselves out, as has Fremantle assistant coach Jaymie Graham, who formerly worked at the Eagles.

Former Collingwood Champion and Coach Nathan Buckley has also turned down the opportunity to sit in the coaches box again, with reports stating he was officially approached by West Coast chief executive Don Pyke.

With these high profile names withdrawing from the race, Sumich says little stands out to him among the remaining candidates.

“I’ve got to be honest here, and hopefully everyone takes it the right way, I don’t think there’s much out there in coaches and assistant coaches,” he told SportFM.

“Schofield’s been in the game for five years, Hanson six or seven years, but these folks are still very inexperienced. Jayme Graham’s more experienced than Hanson and Schofield, and he’s pulled out of the race.

“I keep looking at it and I’m going, they’re going to have to take a punch on someone and hope for the best.

“I’m looking at the list and I’m going, nothing’s striking me there. That’s how I just see it right now unfortunately, with the amount of blokes who have pulled out.”

West Coast’s current caretaker Jarrad Schofield and Carlton assistant Ash Hansen remain the two front runners at this stage, however several other assistants have thrown their hat in the ring.

Essendon’s Daniel Giansiracusa, Collingwood’s Hayden Skipworth and GWS’ Brent Montgomery have all expressed their interest in pursuing the role.

When asked what his ideal candidate for the Eagles’ coaching gig looks like Sumich believes they need credentials, while also being able to relate to players and wider staff at the club.

“They need a bloke who’s pretty forceful, understands the game, is a people’s person and counts for the players and the staff,” he said.

“You’ve got to have that character running around at West Coast that understands the club and then put things into place from there.

“Development is the huge thing. This coach has got to have a bit of development in him and get a senior development coach in as well.

“Clean the slate out, clean a few of these other people out and start fresh. I think that’s where it’s at.” 

West Coast is in a well-documented rebuild phase, with one of the youngest and most inexperienced lists in the AFL.

In the side that beat Gold Coast on Friday night, ten players have played 50 games including, with midfielder Clay Hall on debut and defender Brady Hough hitting his 50th game milestone.

With the demands that come with a rebuilding side and the added scrutiny associated with the had coach role, Sumich/says West Coast are in an unfortunate position and the coach must be able to handle it.

“You’ve got to have the face of the club and the character of this as coach at West Coast, you’ve got to have a bit of character,” he said.

“If you don’t, you can be put to the sword pretty quick. That’s what I’m saying about making sure you pick the right coach who can handle a fair bit, the right character.

“West Coast are in a bit of a dilemma. They’re going to have to pick someone but hopefully, they do the right thing, but it’s going to be tough for this coach in the first three or four years.”

IMAGE: AFL Photos