I'm a little confused by people's thinking regarding the successor. Premiership coaches don't hang around for a couple of seasons waiting to take over the top job. So immediately rule out Worsfold and Thompson. Voss and Ratten are the interesting ones for me. They may be humble enough to go through the process Roos has outlined but I think it unlikely. Roos is a man of his word. I don't believe he's magically going to say I'm going to hang on for an extra year or two because we're a chance of a flag. He's going to coach for three years because that is what he has intimated. He's going to stay on at the club in another role because that is what he has intimated. He's going to identify an up an coming senior coach in the making who has either spent two or three years in a successful environment or a recently retired player with proven leadership credentials who can be 'fast-tracked' to take on the role after two years within our footy dept. The other alternative is that he goes with someone already at the club and as many have suggested Rawlings would be the man most likely.

If I was framing a market it would look something like this:

Kirk (5-1)

Rawlings (5-1)

Ling (7-1)

Ratten (10 - 1)

Voss (15 - 1)

Burns (15 - 1)

Nicks (25 - 1)

O'Loughlin (25 - 1)

Harvey (25 - 1)

Bickley (30 - 1)

Goodwin (30 - 1)

Ben Mathews (40 - 1)

Barker (50 - 1)

Montgomery (50 - 1)

Mark Thompson (100 - 1)

John Worsfold (100 - 1)

Michelle Cowan (250 - 1)

Tyler Roos (250 - 1)

Sheedy (1,000 - 1)

Neeld (1,000,000,000 - 1)

I think if Ling is the choice then Roos will be official coach for 2 years then unofficial for a couple more, it would be a bit more of a reverse Longmire handover where Roos had really relinquished the role a year or 2 before telling anyone. I couldn't see him coming in from no coaching experience to head coach in 2 years.

Just an observation:

The way of the Roos is often a seemingly evolving one. I suspect he has firm idea privately, but publicly the goal posts have history of moving a bit.

Currently he says . Coach to end 16..fine Successor in place by then Id presume. He could well act as "senior mentoring " coach after 16 say for 1-2 seasons before stepping into a head of Football type position which he has already flagged in a fashion

Id be ore than happy with that. The only caveat is we're actually getting somewhere...lol ( which seems to be happening )

I'd have to say Kirk is the most likely for me. Roosy bloody loves him, he loves Roosy, knows his style inside out and has been groomed to some extent under Lyon. Pretty much plug and play senior assistant who'll be coming into his own with two years working closely with Roos. Then shift Roosy to a backseat position within the club where he still gets to be involved and help Kirk out where he needs it and I reckon we've got a cracker of a succession plan. Be good to have another Albury boy there w Crossy, haha

Just an observation:

The way of the Roos is often a seemingly evolving one. I suspect he has firm idea privately, but publicly the goal posts have history of moving a bit.

Currently he says . Coach to end 16..fine Successor in place by then Id presume. He could well act as "senior mentoring " coach after 16 say for 1-2 seasons before stepping into a head of Football type position which he has already flagged in a fashion

Id be ore than happy with that. The only caveat is we're actually getting somewhere...lol ( which seems to be happening )

Great call.

What's the hype with Ling. We need a well trained experienced asst. not a member of the Geelong Cheer Squad who shows no insight in the media. Not a criticism of him personally, just that this decision is too important to waste airtime on kite flying.

Been turned off Bomber recently. I think Brett Kirk would be ideal.

Basically already learning the Paul Roos game plan from Ross Lyon and would be just the perfect smooth transition after Roosy. The game plan wouldnt chance much which I like.

I think the thing in kirks favour is he has done time as an assistant (2 years). Two more under roos would give him a good grounding, whereas someone like long would very light on for experience - a fact, to his credit, he has acknowledged. Won't hurt kirk's chances that he has an existing relationship with roos and no doubt is a firm believer in the game plan.

Geelong are reported to be interested in Ling, and if he can go to his old club I think he will. I can't understand the enthusiasm for Voss - to me he's a busted flush.

Kirk and Rawlings seem to be the most likely in that both have a good relationship with Roos. Either would do me.

Kirk is my pick, seamless transition, team first attitude and sticking to the same game plan

The one that intrigues me the most is Brendan Bolton from Hawthorn. Has been coaching for 10 years and is only 35 and moved through the ranks to become the midfield coach at Hawthorn after he coached the Box Hill Hawks. Box Hill's president paid tribute to him by saying his created such a positive environment that even the AFL players enjoyed playing there. Must have some serious skills to be the mdifield coach at the Hawks and if he can clearly create and develop great relationships with the players then he might be one to look at.... if he's interested that is.

Worsfold - god I hope not

The one that intrigues me the most is Brendan Bolton from Hawthorn. Has been coaching for 10 years and is only 35 and moved through the ranks to become the midfield coach at Hawthorn after he coached the Box Hill Hawks. Box Hill's president paid tribute to him by saying his created such a positive environment that even the AFL players enjoyed playing there. Must have some serious skills to be the mdifield coach at the Hawks and if he can clearly create and develop great relationships with the players then he might be one to look at.... if he's interested that is.

Reminds me of someone who did 10 years of coaching and had great success as a Collingwoods midfield coach..

Worsfold - god I hope not

Totally agree and feel the same with Voss.

I'm a little confused by people's thinking regarding the successor. Premiership coaches don't hang around for a couple of seasons waiting to take over the top job. So immediately rule out Worsfold and Thompson. Voss and Ratten are the interesting ones for me. They may be humble enough to go through the process Roos has outlined but I think it unlikely. Roos is a man of his word. I don't believe he's magically going to say I'm going to hang on for an extra year or two because we're a chance of a flag. He's going to coach for three years because that is what he has intimated. He's going to stay on at the club in another role because that is what he has intimated. He's going to identify an up an coming senior coach in the making who has either spent two or three years in a successful environment or a recently retired player with proven leadership credentials who can be 'fast-tracked' to take on the role after two years within our footy dept. The other alternative is that he goes with someone already at the club and as many have suggested Rawlings would be the man most likely.

If I was framing a market it would look something like this:

Kirk (5-1)

Rawlings (5-1)

Ling (7-1)

Ratten (10 - 1)

Voss (15 - 1)

Burns (15 - 1)

Nicks (25 - 1)

O'Loughlin (25 - 1)

Harvey (25 - 1)

Bickley (30 - 1)

Goodwin (30 - 1)

Ben Mathews (40 - 1)

Barker (50 - 1)

Montgomery (50 - 1)

Mark Thompson (100 - 1)

John Worsfold (100 - 1)

Michelle Cowan (250 - 1)

Tyler Roos (250 - 1)

Sheedy (1,000 - 1)

Neeld (1,000,000,000 - 1)

I think Neeld would be loathe to leave a successful, hard at it Carey badminton team

I'd have to say Kirk is the most likely for me. Roosy bloody loves him, he loves Roosy, knows his style inside out and has been groomed to some extent under Lyon. Pretty much plug and play senior assistant who'll be coming into his own with two years working closely with Roos. Then shift Roosy to a backseat position within the club where he still gets to be involved and help Kirk out where he needs it and I reckon we've got a cracker of a succession plan. Be good to have another Albury boy there w Crossy, haha

And he is a qualified teacher as well. Interesting.

I think it will be Brett Kirk, in fact I suggest the deal is already done. He is a very close friend of Roos and by all accounts very astute and driven. Roos will slot in as Head of football and then take Jackson ' s job. You heard it here first!

I think it will be Roos.

I think it will be Brett Kirk, in fact I suggest the deal is already done. He is a very close friend of Roos and by all accounts very astute and driven. Roos will slot in as Head of football and then take Jackson ' s job. You heard it here first!

It may well be Kirk but we haven't heard that here first. It seems pretty obvious that Roos will be around for the transition but there is no chance he will take over as CEO from Jackson. He just doesn't have the credentials for that job.

I think it will be Roos.

So you are saying Roos will coach beyond 2016?

I see roos moving into a similar role to what Neil Craig was and is in

So you are saying Roos will coach beyond 2016?

I have no inside information, just my opinion. I can't see him stepping aside if we're a top 8 side in 2016. He came here to do a job. Yes, he's being very well paid, but why go through the stress and potentially tarnish your own record, if you don't want the challenge? The challenge surely isn't simply getting the MFC to 9th or 10th in two or three seasons. With every day that passes, I'm more convinced that the successor line is simply a contingency plan. If the club is in good shape on and off field at the end of 2016, I think he'll stay on. He'd sign on for another two or three years and see if he can't nab a flag. It sounds like he's interested in moving into a role ala the Swans Academy with us after all that too. That's excellent news, obviously.

I know stuff all about Kirk the coach, does he look after Freo's mid? Has he looked after other areas?

Ling scares me, he has not coached, if he had two years I'd hope Roos was the head of coaching and pretty much still coaching for another two.

Voss intrigues me, I think he was doing a pretty decent job at the Lions towards the end.

Ratten seems to be doing well at the Hawks, going to have to trust Roos and Jackson?

It may well be Kirk but we haven't heard that here first. It seems pretty obvious that Roos will be around for the transition but there is no chance he will take over as CEO from Jackson. He just doesn't have the credentials for that job.

I was talking about Roos taking over from jackson. I have stated this here before and ridiculed right left and centre. I can tell you it is not ridiculed in the Club. it is a serious option and Roos wants to do it - if not at Melbourne then somewhere else.

It may well be Kirk but we haven't heard that here first. It seems pretty obvious that Roos will be around for the transition but there is no chance he will take over as CEO from Jackson. He just doesn't have the credentials for that job.

watch for him to attend the Harvard Winter school over the next two year. that will be the tell tale sign...A bit like Hird is doing now in France.

...A bit like Hird is doing now in France.

You were going so well until you brought Hird into it.

FMD If James (Just call me God) Hird and his influence came anywhere near MFC it would be a combo of "Apocalypse Now" :"The Exorcist" and Gomez Adams blowing up a few trains all rolled into one!

Keep anything James Hird away from MFC

Fence

watch for him to attend the Harvard Winter school over the next two year. that will be the tell tale sign...A bit like Hird is doing now in France.

I think he would need a lot more than that to take over as CEO of the club, it would be a backward step for the MFC. He would need to have done serious time running a business and have built up the contacts on the business side to make a go of it.

I would be more than very surprised if he even wanted to be a CEO of a footy club when he can step back into the media. He doesn't have the runs on the board to run a football business, as a coach he is brilliant.