New coaching favourite emerges as West Coast rocked by withdrawal of another top contender

Carlton assistant coach Ashley Hansen will not be in the running to take the West Coast job after it was reported the former AFL player isn't keen on a move away from Melbourne. Adam Simpson's departure leaves a huge role available at the Eagles for 2025 with the club desperately looking for a head coach.

However, it appears Hansen isn't ready for a chance of scenery just yet. Reporter Jay Clark told Fox Sports' Midweek Tackle the Blues senior assistant is settled in Victoria and isn't looking for a move away from his home or current job.

“It’s largely a family decision - he has a young family well settled in Melbourne and he’s happy to stay in Victoria,” Clark said on Wednesday. “Loving his role alongside Michael Voss and he’s told the Blues and Eagles he wants to build out his coaching repertoire, his skill-set, at Ikon Park so he’ll be staying at Carlton in 2025.

“This is a huge blow to West Coast because he’s been so highly rated across Carlton and the Western Bulldogs.” Hansen was looming as a huge win for the Eagles with the Carlon assistant having developed his trade under Voss at the Blues.

Hansen was at the Bulldogs for nine years, before joining Carlton in 2021. He has only one game, and win, as head coach when he took over for Voss. Hansen's reported rejection comes as a blow for the Eagles as they look to lure a big name to the club.

Sydney Swans' Dean Cox, Port Adelaide’s Josh Carr, Fremantle’s Jaymie Graham and former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley have all reportedly shut down interest over the Eagles job. With a number of top options turning down the role, interim coach Jarrad Schofield appears to be the favourite to continue in his role next year. Schofield has managed to reel off two wins in a row for the Eagles and the club is favourite to defeat Carlton this weekend.

The Blues have been hit with a number of injuries in recent weeks and are on a three-game losing streak. An Eagles win would be the first time since 2021 the club has won three in a row. This would go a long way in proving Schofield's credentials as a permanent head coach.

However, the Eagles could be wary of interim coaches struggling at other clubs when elevated to the head coaching role. And AFL reporter Sam Landsberger believes West Coach CEO Don Pyke could be as strong option. Pyke is currently leading the selection panel for the next coach.

Jarrad Schofield praised after Eagles role

While there are a number of candidates for the role, Schofield is certainly putting his hand up. After two wins in a row, co-captain Liam Dugan praised the team's efforts in recent weeks having lifted their physicality on the field.

"I think what we've learned - it's taken us probably a little while to execute - but the game's won around the contest and the brutality and who can do it for longer," Duggan said on the weekend.

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"We've found a way in the last couple of weeks to really match it with some good sides." Duggan was also full of praise for youngster Harley Reid. Any future coach of the Eagles will have the pleasure of coaching the prodigious talent and Dugan was already full of praise for the star.

"He's an absolute animal, we love the way he plays," Duggan said. "He's finding that line too. It's hard to wrestle all the time. Players give him a bit extra, too. They know he's a good player and want to create a bit of a stir when they get him. But he's up for the fight, well and truly."