Cameron Bruce, Nathan Buckley, Adam Simpson and Hayden Skipworth all remain live chances to become the next Brisbane Lions senior coach.
The Lions have been on the hunt for a Chris Fagan replacement for more than a month after the three-time premiership coach retired from the role following a dramatic Grand Final victory over Fremantle in September.
Bruce is deemed the favourite given his closeness to the Lions group, having worked under Fagan for multiple years as an assistant.
Fagan even endorsed Bruce to be his successor, suggesting that he is ready.
“He's been involved in a large number of premierships, six, three here and three at Hawthorn," Fagan said earlier this month.
“The only reason he hasn't put his hand up for jobs in more recent times is he loves it up here and his young family does as well. Here's an opportunity where he doesn't have to go anywhere.
“I honestly think he could have had an AFL coaching job right now if he applied for one of those jobs.”
But according to SEN, Buckley, Simpson and Skipworth all remain chances to assume the vacant position.
Buckley has been in the coaching caper since 2009, and led Collingwood from 2012 to 2021. The Pies featured in multiple finals series during his tenure, including the 2018 Grand Final, as well as preliminary finals in 2012 and 2019.
After he departed Collingwood, Buckley spent time in the media, but returned to coaching at Geelong ahead of the 2026 season as an assistant under Chris Scott.
He pushed for the Melbourne and Tasmania roles as well as the North Melbourne job but either pulled out or was unsuccessful.
Buckley has a contract at the Cats for 2027, but is still searching for a second senior coach role.
He also played for the Brisbane Bears when he started his AFL career.
Simpson was a long-time assistant, including a successful stint at Hawthorn under Alastair Clarkson and alongside Chris Fagan before he won the West Coast role in 2014.
He spent 11 years at the Eagles, including delivering the 2018 flag, before he was moved on midway through 2024.
Since, Simpson has enjoyed media duties, and was briefly linked to the North Melbourne vacancy before realising the opportunity wasn't for him.
The former Kangaroos captain has declared his interest in potentially returning to senior coaching.
Skipworth is the last of Brisbane's four candidates, and has run close to many senior coaching roles.
He is an assistant at Collingwood, and is deemed a senior coach in-waiting.
AFL champion Leigh Matthews will serve in an advisory capacity to the selection panel which comprises chair Andrew Wellington, chief executive Sam Graham and footy boss Danny Daly.
The panel will also be supported by Lions champion Simon Black, who presented the premiership cup this year, and club psychologist Matti Clements.
It's understood the formal presentations will begin, with the quartet vying to take over the as senior coach of the reigning premiers.
