We look at the candidates for Carlton’s vacant coaching position, including some potential left field names.

Vote below to let us know who you think should be the next coach of Carlton.

Stuart Dew

Dew is a two-time Premiership player, winning one flag with Port Adelaide in 2004, before helping Hawthorn clinch the 2008 decider. He has since been plying his trade as an assistant coach to John Longmire at the Swans, before turning down the senior assistant position at Melbourne last season. A year later and he might be ready to step into a full time coaching position. He is one of the favourites for the job and is very highly rated in footy circles.

John Barker

A former Hawthorn forward, Barker is the care-taker at the Blues, after being promoted from assistant coach after the sacking of Mick Malthouse. He is in the fortunate position of having a six month trial to display his credentials before the board makes a final decision.

Peter Sumich

Sumich is always thrown around when a vacant coaching position is around, and he would be a fantastic choice, as his credentials are impeccable. Sumich played 150 games for West Coast, including their 1992 and 1994 Premiership sides. He coached South Fremantle in 2000 and 2001, taking them to the Grand Final in 2001, before accepting a role as an assistant to John Worsfold at the Eagles. After 10 years at West Coast he is now serving as an assistant to Ross Lyon at Fremantle. The trend of employing young, inexperienced coaches has been bucked of late, with Ken Hinkley, Phil Walsh and Luke Beveridge proving that they still have what is takes with some great results, and Sumich could well be another example of that.

Gary Hocking

The former Geelong champion has coached Peel Thunder in the WAFL, Geelong Falcons under 18s side and now Port Adelaide in the SANFL since retiring. His playing record is impeccable; however his coaching record probably needs a bit more time before he is ready to step into a senior coaching role. His time under Ken Hinkley at the Power at the moment will be invaluable.

Brett Ratten

Very unlikely to be selected given his unceremonious sacking from Carlton in 2012. But he didn’t do a lot wrong, taking Carlton to the finals three years in a row, from 2009 to 2011. Currently an assistant coach at Hawthorn. Deserves another chance and if he doesn’t get it this time, he will hopefully be in line for the next vacant coaching position.

Guy McKenna

Another one who was perhaps unfairly sacked. Had the Suns playing an exciting brand of football last season and narrowly missed the finals. Has a history of building a team from the bottom, despite the easier circumstances in the draft.

Brett Montgomery

Premiership player with Port Adelaide and now an assistant coach with the Bulldogs, after a three year stint at the Blues. Highly regarded among his peers and has worked and played under some champion coaches, including Mark Williams and Rodney Eade.

Matthew Knights

Didn’t have the best of times as Essendon coach, however has found himself again at Geelong as an assistant coach. Won the VFL premiership with Geelong in 2012 and made the Grand Final again in 2013. Probably only a very slim chance, but wouldn’t be a bad choice.

John Blakey

Blakey played 135 games with Fitzroy and 224 with North Melbourne and was a premiership defender with the Kangaroos in 1996 and 1999. Worked as an assistant coach under Leigh Matthews in Brisbane’s 2003 premiership winning side. He joined Sydney as an assistant in 2006 and has enjoyed further success at the Swans under Paul Roos and John Longmire. Has brilliant credentials and has learnt from some of the best coaches in the business.

Blake Caracella

Won two premierships as a player with Essendon and Brisbane, before joining Collingwood for 27 games. Worked as an assistant at Collingwood from 2007 to 2009, before joining Geelong at the end of the 2009. Helped Collingwood reach two preliminary finals and was a key member of Geelong’s coaching panel in the 2011 premiership winning side. Has been involved in success everywhere he’s gone and knows what it’s all about. Would be a great person for the job.

Brenton Sanderson

The former Geelong star and Adelaide coach was stiff to get the boot at the end of last year, after taking the Crows to within five points of the 2012 Grand Final, before narrowly missing the finals in 2013 and 2014. Arguably the most important player in the team, Taylor Walker, missed most of 2013 and half of 2014 with a serious knee injury and Adelaide suffered under the weight of expectation. Still a very accomplished coach and has a great pedigree after serving under Mark Thompson during two Geelong premierships.

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