North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell has backed caretaker coach Rhyce Shaw to assume the position full-time after blistering a start to his senior AFL coaching career.
Shaw replaced long-serving coach Brad Scott following the Kangaroos’ rocky start the season and has led the club to a 3-1 record over the past month.
Sydney coach John Longmire has been linked with the position next season but Ziebell threw his support behind Shaw.
“I’d love to see Rhyce get the gig,” he said.
“He’s really good at narrowing our focus. When he took over it was a pretty tough time, his ability to galvanise a group and bring everyone together and focus on the job at hand, which is playing a game of football, is second to none.
“That’s probably his great strength as a coach, his relationship with his players and he’s been awesome for our footy club.
“The higher powers will no doubt go through their processes and scour the country for the best coach and we’d love the to get the best coach in no matter who that is, Shawie or someone external.”
North Melbourne great Wayne Carey wants no call made on their next senior coach until the end of the season.
Longmire did nothing to shut down speculation about his future on Monday night in a TV interview, even saying “North” in a slip of the tongue when he meant “Sydney”.
The Kangaroos were outstanding on Saturday night, mauling second-placed Collingwood. But Carey said while he likes Shaw, North should hold their fire.
“If they keep winning, it’s going to be hard to say to him ‘You haven’t got the job,” Carey told Channel Seven’s Talking Footy.
“I would love him to get the job – he’s a ripping guy and he’s clearly getting the right response out of this team.
“But it’s far too premature right now – we’re talking about four games.
“You have to let him coach the rest of the year out … let’s just take a deep breath, let’s make a calculated decision then.”
After Longmire’s manager Liam Pickering confirmed last week that the Kangaroos have been in touch, the Swans coach was asked several questions on Monday night about where he will be next season.
“I’m absolutely contracted to the Nor … to the Sydney Swans Football Club. I have been there for 18 years, my commitment to this football club is very strong,” Longmire told AFL360.
It was put to Longmire that Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson had put paid to speculation about his future by firmly declaring his intention to stay.
“I’ve had contracts for 18 years, almost,” Longmire said of his time at Sydney.
“I’m not sure there have been too many at any football club who have been at the one club for 18 years.
“My level of commitment speaks for itself.”