Collingwood assistant coach Hayden Skipworth has emerged as a genuine contender for the vacant head coaching role at West Coast, it has been revealed. Channel 7’s Ryan Daniels broke the news on Monday evening, with Skipworth not previously seen or acknowledged as a candidate for the role left by premiership coach Adam Simpson in early July.
Currently the sole vacancy in the top job at an AFL club, the Eagles have had over two months to refine and interview for the role – but it perhaps hasn’t been as big a pool of contenders as they would have liked in a perfect world. Both high-profile coaches and those with strong affiliation to the Eagles have turned down the offer to be a part of the headhunt, including the likes of Nathan Buckley, Dean Cox, Ashley Hansen, Josh Carr, Daniel Giansiracusa and Jaymie Graham.
Interim caretaker Jarrod Schofield was once seen as the lead candidate for the role, but 65 and 93-point losses to close out his side’s season look to have severely dented his chances of being selected in the seat. Speaking to the news on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, Gerard Whateley assessed where he believes he race now sits.
“They’re in the phase where it would feel like four coaches going through the last step – Skipworth, Steven King, Rhett Montgomerie and Andrew McQualter, and the tea leaves say that this has moved in Skipworth’s direction,” Whateley said.
“Well, I’m not drinking any of the tea leaves, I haven’t seen any of the tea leaves Gerard to be honest,” Herald Sun Chief Footballer Writer Mark Robinson replied. “All I know is what I’ve been reading; I read last week that Steven King was favourite, got told over the weekend that Andrew McQualter’s looking really good – and now you’re telling me Monday night that the West Australian journos are saying that Hayden Skipworth (has) now rocketed to favouritism.
“I know Skipworth’s pretty well respected; he was at Essendon, then at Collingwood – so if he gets a job, well done – he’s done a very, very good apprenticeship.”
Skipworth has been at the Magpies since 2020, and has also led the club’s talent academy. The 41-year-old also played 55 AFL games across Adelaide and Essendon – with the latter a club where Skipworth coached their VFL team and was among their top side. Star intercept defender Tom Barrass (linked to Hawthorn) and veteran Jack Darling (North Melbourne) look set to depart the club next month, with the Eagles expected to head slightly backwards still before going forward amid a lengthy rebuild.
The Rise of Hayden Skipworth
Collingwood assistant coach Hayden Skipworth has emerged as the new leading candidate in a shock twist to the West Coast coach hunt. It is understood the 41-year-old — who was yet to be mentioned as a contender — has become a focus of the Eagles selection panel. Sources told 7NEWS he had impressed the panel with his focus on development, modern game plan principles and player connection.
Skipworth has been part of the Collingwood coaching make up since 2020, playing a key role in the Pies’ 2023 premiership success under Craig McRae. He also has development experience, having previously taken charge of Collingwood’s talent academy. Skiporth also spent time on the Essendon coaching staff under former West Coast coach John Worsfold and previously led the Bombers VFL team. As a player, he represented the Crows and Bombers in 55 games.
The Eagles’ Coaching Hunt Narrowed Down
The West Coast coaching search has been narrowed to four candidates. It can be revealed that Andrew McQualter, Steven King, Brett Montgomery and Hayden Skipworth are the quartet of contenders left in the race for the Eagles’ top job. Sources said Melbourne assistant coach McQualter and Geelong assistant Steven King were being viewed as the two clear favourites in front of Collingwood’s Skipworth and the Giants’ Montgomery.
Sydney assistant and West Coast great Dean Cox has repeatedly ruled himself out of the running, while Nathan Buckley declined an offer to be part of the process. Ash Hansen, Josh Carr, Jaymie Graham and Daniel Giansiracusa have also ruled themselves out in recent months. It’s understood Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was never approached and regardless, has never had any desire to move to Perth.
The spate of knock-backs has led to a wide-ranging coaching search by the Eagles’ five-person sub committee led by chief executive Don Pyke. King, a 240-game player with Geelong and St Kilda, returned to Cats as a senior assistant alongside Chris Scott for this season. King has coached at four clubs, including Gold Coast where he served in an interim capacity before Damien Hardwick was appointed. McQualter joined the Demons for the 2024 season having spent a decade at Richmond where, he too, served as an interim coach for 13 games.
The Eagles' Coaching Search: A Long and Winding Road
It’s been 70 days since the Eagles and Adam Simpson parted ways, and several high-profile candidates have ruled themselves out of the process since then. Eagles legend Dean Cox was the first to publicly turn down the top job and has since doubled down on his refusal. Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham and Port Adelaide assistant Josh Carr also pulled out of the race. Ken Hinkley had also been linked to the role, with reports he could have been moved on had they exited the finals in straight sets.
Interim coach Jarrad Schofield’s stocks appear to have fallen after big losses to Carlton and Geelong to finish the season, taking the shine off wins over Gold Coast and North Melbourne. The caretaker leader was a favourite among supporters and was believed to be popular among the playing group. Schofield previously stated he would remain on as an assistant if he was not appointed head coach. GWS assistant Brett Montogmery is reportedly also on the Eagles’ radar but talks were said to be delayed by the Giant’s finals run.
West Coast will hold its John Worsfold medal count on Thursday night.
