Essendon are set to approach former North Melbourne coach Brad Scott as the Bombers look to finalise their appointment for their next senior coach.
Scott has not confirmed his running for the Essendon vacancy, nor has he officially pulled his name from contending alongside the likes of Demons assistant Adem Yze, Bombers champions James Hird and Dean Solomon, and St Kilda line coach Brendon Lade.
The quartet of names were all part of the Bombers' first round of interviews for the position, while Yze is understood to have been given a second chance to argue his case.
The former Hawthorn and current Melbourne assistant is seen as the front-runner for the job, which has been flagged to be announced as early as this week.
Essendon initially flagged a desire to add an experienced coach to their strikeforce for 2023, with Scott head and shoulders above the rest of the pack after coaching North Melbourne in 211 matches, including four finals campaigns.
The Bombers are likely to wait on Scott's decision to run for the job or not, with the AFL football boss said to have left the call until after last Saturday's Grand Final.
With the new week here, and the trade and free agency windows right around the corner, the Bombers will be hoping to hear from the 46-year-old as soon as possible.
According toย News Corp,ย the Bombers will seek out an answer from Scott as they plan to learn his intentions for 2023.
Should Scott clarify he hopes to succeed Ben Rutten at Tullamarine, an announcement from Essendon could be delayed to allow the former Roos boss to go through the required process.
It would likely mean the Bombers enter the exchange windows without a senior coach, however the club aren't seen as a major player through either trade or free agency in 2022.
Having secured captain Dyson Heppell to a new deal, the Bombers will be placing more attention to acquiring external signatures.
Essendon have been linked to young Melbourne forward Toby Bedford as they plan to sharpen their spear with small forwards, while wantaway Sun Jack Bowes and Saints midfielder Jack Bytel are also understood to be on Essendon's radar.
Even without a list of acquisitions, the next Essendon coach will adopt a youthful side that promises to contend in the years to come.
The Bombers currently hold Picks 4, 22, 40, 58 and 76 for the National Draft, and are set to land highly-rated father-son prodigy Alwyn Davey junior among the first 25 picks.
Free agency begins on Friday, September 30, while the trade window begins on Monday, October 3.
