With the September-ready teams separating themselves from the rest of the competition, the struggling clubs will begin to assess potential player movements, as well as having a sharper look at their coaching board.

The team on Fox Sports' AFL 360 on Wednesday night, including former greats David King and Mark Maclure as well as Mark Robinson and Anthony Hudson, discussed the five clubs who are at the centre of coaching discussions.

With Carlton and North Melbourne currently hosting interim coaches, Alan Richardson of St Kilda in the hot seat and veteran coaches John Longmire and John Worsfold's futures up in the air, we could see as many as five new coaches to begin 2020.

For the Blues, the sacking of Brendan Bolton came after a dismal round 11 performance against the Bombers - where they managed a score of just 33. Since then, former Carlton defender David Teague took over as caretaker coach.

Teague invited the team to play with more freedom, both offensively and defensively. This has resulted in a large increase in scoring, with Carlton averaging 85.7 points ranking third in the league from rounds 12 - 15. The Blues are now 2 wins and 2 losses under Teague. The two wins came against Brisbane and Fremantle, while the losses where both under a goal despite the Blues scoring at least 100 points in both losses.

North Melbourne were the first club to show their coach the door, with Rhyce Shaw taking over Brad Scott's role in Round 11. Just like Carlton, the Kangaroos have become a much more watchable team of late in contrast to the opening 10 rounds. With Scott, North were ranked dead last for points scored against, under Shaw they are now second in the competition for points against.

Despite the rapid rise, both clubs will still be invested in finding new mentors, and names such as Paul Roos, Michael Voss and Jade Rawlings have circulated the two clubs. Right now, Shaw is firming as a favourite and charging to win over supporters hearts, but the Blues candidates are open for discussion.

King was the only member of the show to predict Longmire leaving Sydney to join Carlton - "I would be staggered if Carlton haven't inquired about what John is doing next year." King said.

King argued that this would open the door for Sydney to bring Rhyce Shaw back, poaching him from North.

"Rhyce Shaw is the one that for me that if John was to move that they (the Swans) would say 'let's get this guy back'," King said.

A team that began the season strongly despite some unfortunate injuries, the Saints have been struggling to capture any form in recent weeks, building on Richardson's expected sacking. Currently, the candidates for the Saints role remain unclear, with Brad Scott tipped to eventually return to a senior coaching while Brett Ratten builds his portfolio at the club.

The two clubs who have seen a wavering in form this season, both Essendon and Sydney have hosted experienced coaches Worsfold and Longmire for a good chunk of the past decade, with Longmire coaching a premiership in 2012.

Both coaches are tipped to go round again, the Bombers are making a late charge for finals and the Swans will likely miss September action for the first time in nine years.

Here are the AFL 360 panel's coaching predictions for 2020:

DAVID KING

Carlton: John Longmire

North Melbourne: Michael Voss

St Kilda: Brad Scott

Essendon: John Worsfold

Sydney Swans: Rhyce Shaw

MARK MACLURE

Carlton: Brett Ratten or David Teague

North Melbourne: Rhyce Shaw

St Kilda: Brad Scott

Essendon: Blake Caracella

Sydney Swans: John Longmire

MARK ROBINSON

Carlton: Paul Roos and Michael Voss

North Melbourne: Rhyce Shaw

St Kilda: Brad Scott

Essendon: John Worsfold

Sydney Swans: John Longmire

ANTHONY HUDSON

Carlton: Paul Roos and Jade Rawlings

North Melbourne: Rhyce Shaw

St Kilda: Brett Ratten

Essendon: John Worsfold

Sydney Swans: John Longmire