Updated ,first published
AFL premiership coaches John Longmire and Adam Simpson have both refused to declare whether they want to coach Carlton, with both saying they need more time to gauge their interest in coaching at the senior level again.
A day after Michael Voss’ decision to leave the Blues – with immediate effect – was made public, the two coaching stalwarts said the circumstances of Voss’ departure meant it was too early to throw up their hands on his old job.
Former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has not withdrawn from the race for the roleeither, but gave the first nod to Sydney’s 2012 premiership coach Longmire.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir, however, insisted – he will not move to Carlton.
West Coast’s 2018 flag-winning coach Simpson, a part-time consultant and coaching adviser at the Blues, said his answer to the vacant Carlton role was “today is no”.
“I don’t know,” Simpson said on his regular and Longmire segment of AFL 360 when pressed about the coaching question on Wednesday night.
“Today is ‘no’, but what about in 10, 14, 15 weeks?
“It’s strange to say because people think there is an answer that comes immediately, yes or no.
“I think there are some professional coaches out there who (would say), ‘I’m a professional coach, I’m going to coach ’till the day I die’.
“(But) there’s more depth, I think, to our lives. And there’s a lot to work on.”
Similarly, when asked if he was ready to “entertain” a return to coaching, Longmire said, “I don’t feel ready to answer that”.
The five-time AFL finals coach, who resigned after Sydney’s 2024 loss to the Lions, added: “For me, it’s not a simple yes or no answer. It’s not about that.
“For me these things are clear for a while.
“From my point of view, I’m happy to let that time play out.”
AFL 360 host Garry Lyon told Longmire that Carlton must have called him.
“I’m not interested in dealing with hypotheticals right now – I’m not interested in what may or may not happen online,” Longmire replied.
“I’m just going to let time play (out).”
“I’m very happy to say that.”
Longmuir was asked Agenda Setting regarding Kane Cornes’ opinion that the Blues should sack him to replace Michael Voss.
Longmuir insisted if he entertained it.
“No,” he said.
“I’m very happy to coach Freo. I’m very happy with the contract I have at the moment. I’m very happy with where it sits at the club – we all are. It’s not a story from my point of view.”
Previously, Hinkley had not ruled out the Blues role, while Collingwood coach Craig McRae said senior assistant Hayden Skipworth was ready to coach.
Hinkley told SEN on Wednesday that Longmire he had all the qualifications and experience to make the cultural overhaul needed at Carlton, although he admitted “everyone is predicting a first-time coach” will get the job.
“I would be flattered if John Longmire wasn’t talked about in detail at Carlton because he’s very good at cultural issues, and he’s delivered that in Sydney,” Hinkley said.
“(He would provide) strong leadership, a strong character, (he) demands high performance, and has been leading his team to finals … he has a record that says he can win, but that (Sydney) is a different list (to Carlton).”
Current Swans coach Dean Cox is unsure whether a quick return to head coaching is on Longmire’s radar.
Cox’s predecessor has previously spoken of how he is relishing his new role as the Sydney club’s chief operating officer.
Swans chairman Andrew Pridham, meanwhile, joked in an interview on 3AW on Saturday – before Voss’ departure was confirmed – that he would not have taken Carlton’s call if they had called him and asked about Longmire.
It seems inevitable that a move will be made by the Blues, but even Cox, his heir and successor, has a realistic read on Longmire’s prospects – or at least none that he was willing to share publicly.
“I haven’t really talked to him about wanting to coach again,” Cox said earlier Wednesday.
“Whether he’s interested and wants to come back in, I’m not sure – but he’s a good coach and obviously a good football player too. That’s his decision to make.”
Due to turn 60 at the end of this season, Hinkley is four years older than Longmire. He pointed out that his age would be a factor to consider when evaluating the work of to rebuild Carlton following the departure of his former Power Voss protégé on Tuesday.
“There’s a little bit of work to be done on that list now, (speaking) from a distance,” Hinkley said.
“My challenge is, I’m an older guy, so at 59 the feeling I get is that this is a long-term structure for Carlton.
“Now it’s difficult for me to answer because people immediately go, ‘He wants to coach Carlton’ or ‘He doesn’t want to coach Carlton’. I’m not ready to be black and white and say, ‘This is what I want …’ There are a lot more facts that you would need to gather before making a decision.”
Skipworth, one of the most respected assistant coaches in the league, is expected to be approached by the Blues.
“His strategy is very good. His people management is very good. The way he owns a room. He’s very organized. He’s very ambitious. He’s always improving, looking for better ways. He’s on a journey to improve,” McRae said of Skipworth on Wednesday.
“He’s got a lot of experience now, (but) you’re not really ready. You can never be fully ready for this job, unless you’ve done it before … yeah, I think based on what I see, Ruka will be ready.”
Blues chief executive Graham Wright has a good understanding of Skipworth, 43, from their time together at Collingwood. Skipworth was one of the main contenders to replace Adam Simpson at West Coast, but was badly beaten by Andrew McQualter.
The former Essendon and Adelaide player also spoke to Melbourne in September last year when the Devils were looking for a replacement for Simon Goodwin, but pulled out on the eve of a formal interview.
Skipworth has long been viewed as the head coach-in-waiting, McRae has publicly praised him for his insight into the 2023 premiership year, and he ran the Magpies last pre-season while McRae had a long layoff.
Hinkley said the Blues, under Voss, looked incapable of playing “modern football for four quarters”.
Hinkley, winner of Geelong’s best and fairest in 1992, coached Port Adelaide for 13 seasons from 2013-25, and managed to play in 15 finals from 297 games and won 59 percent of the matches.
His tenure overlapped with Longmire’s tenure as Sydney coach (2011-2024), who captured the 2012 premiership for the Swans and won 63 per cent of the 333 games he coached.
Hinkley also named Simpson (West Coast 2014-24) and Nathan Buckley (Collingwood 2012-21) – who coached against each other in the 2018 grand final – as other experienced coaches the Blues could consider.
However, Hinkley noted there are also a number of talented coaches currently working in assistant positions at clubs who are yet to be tested at the top level but could eventually have what the Blues are looking for.
Having previously said he is currently a career coach trying out a new career in the media, Hinkley said anyone seriously interested in coaching would take the opportunity to speak to the Blues about the position, which will be filled on a temporary basis by assistant Josh Fraser.
Fraser led the club’s training session at Ikon Park on Wednesday, a day after Voss left the club.
— with Vince Rugari
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Greg Dundas – Greg is a desk editor at The Age
Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers the AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball coverage.Connect through X or email address.
