Multiple names floated for AFL’s GM of footy role

WHO should be the AFL’s next general manager of football?

The role is currently vacant after Brad Scott departed to take up the head coaching gig at Essendon.

Scott’s replacement will be immediately tasked with cleaning up the medi-sub rule while ruling over many other facets of the game.

Given the job is so important, it needs a person of great experience and there are several around the league who could competently step in.

David King and Kane Cornes have floated some of the names they believe could do the job, starting with Geelong great and current GWS director Jimmy Bartel.

“This needs to get sorted quickly,” King said on SEN Breakfast.

“There’s a couple of names. Jimmy Bartel has been all the rage, that’s the only name we’ve really heard.”

Cornes agreed, while adding former Collingwood star and coach Nathan Buckley into the mix.

“He [Bartel] sort of put his hand up and he’s a big name so that’s why that was so prevalent in the media,” Cornes said.

“Nathan Buckley. Garry [Lyon] said he put his hand up and said he would have a look at it. I did see he is recommitted to SEN so hopefully he stays with us.

“He could do the job.”

King added, “Easily.

“I think if you’ve been a senior coach and been trusted with that level of responsibility then this is the next step for you.”

There is another key Giant, who King played with at North Melbourne, who could also do the job.

“A name I want to throw in there, and who has been around football for a long time both as a player and an administrator, has seen all the goings on of clubland, is Jason McCartney,” said King.

“In this role you have to be a great media performer. You have to be able to hold interest, have a laugh, be a bit entertaining but then get to the core of what needs to be discussed in a clear and concise manner.

“I think Jason McCartney could do this on his ear.”

Cornes floated some other names including Port Adelaide’s Chris Davies and recent North coach David Noble who has joined the board of the AFL Coaches’ Association.

“I like Chris Davies, who is the footy manager at Port Adelaide,” Cornes said.

“He had been approached by the AFL for previous jobs even before Brad Scott had got the job.

“I think he could easily do it.

“You chucked up a name off-air, David Noble. He was going fully down the administrative path before he took the job at North Melbourne. He’s available.”

King added, “He’s seen both sides of it.

“As an administrator he has been very successful and as a coach it didn’t work out.

“I think that’s a good set of skills as you understand both challenges. You don’t want someone who has clear success at every point because you do need to understand both sides of the coin.”

Cornes concluded, “Alan Richardson would be the other one as well.

“He has an extensive history as a player, as a coach, as a general manager of football at Melbourne and the success that they’ve had there.

“Exceptional media performer and a great operator.”

–ANDREW SLEVISON/ SEN