Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas is adamant Hawthorn assistant Adrian Hickmott is a senior coach in-waiting.
There are two vacancies in the AFL, with Carlton and Essendon on the hunt for a new coach following sackings earlier in the year.
The Blues are tipped to head down the untried path, while the Bombers are looking at an experienced campaigner, but may need to pivot given John Longmire has ruled himself out of both jobs after missing on the Tasmania Devils gig won by Ken Hinkley.
Names such as Josh Fraser, Corey Enright, James Kelly, Jaymie Graham, James Hird, Dean Solomon, Mark McVeigh and Danny Daly have been linked to either role.
"If you want to try someone new, I'm a very strong advocate of (Adrian) Hickmott," Thomas told Zero Hanger.
"I really like him as an assistant coach, and the way I see him interact, and the way the body language stuff, and everything else. And I think he's a really astute football person. So he's someone that I would be interested in interviewing."
After an 184-game playing career for Geelong and Carlton, Hickmott joined the coaching caper, spending time at Essendon and West Coast before making the switch to the Hawks at the end of 2021.
The 54-year-old has performed a variety of different roles, and played a pivotal part in the Eagles' 2018 premiership, while currently constructing the Hawks' forward line, which is firing on all cylinders.
Thomas believes Hickmott has enough runs on the board, and the coaching nous, to be a successful AFL coach.
"It's just, I watch people closely, and I'm probably more interested in people management: managing attitudes, managing effort, managing standards," Thomas added.
"I know I can tick the tactic and strategic boxes with him because he's been around footy a long time and he's been highly regarded in that area. And the way I see him, the way he interacts, and the relationship he has with players is something that I've been very impressed with over many years watching footy."
Hickmott said earlier in the year he has aspirations to become an AFL senior coach.
“I think I'm ready at the moment. We will see what happens with that sort of stuff," he said on SEN.
“It's coming, I feel. I'm 54, starting to mature even more now as I get on! The next few years, I will start heading towards that area, and if I'm good enough to do it and qualified, I'll have a crack.
“If I'm not, well then I'm very happy just where I am at the moment, getting this job done and making sure we get wins on the board and help our young players improve.”
Thomas led St Kilda from 2001 to 2006, coaching 123 games for 63 wins.
