Fremantle assistant coach Jaymie Graham has revealed he received tutelage from former Port Adelaide coach and inaugural Tasmania coach Ken Hinkley as he aspires to become a senior coach.
Graham was close to getting both the Essendon and Carlton vacancies, particularly impressing those at the Blues before they ultimately stuck with star interim coach Josh Fraser.
Graham addressed the feedback he received on SEN Friday night ahead of Fremantle's semi final win.
"It was a great experience. I was bloody busy for a month there and I actually did get some advice from ken along the way which I really appreciated," Graham said.
"I learned a lot about myself because you're reflecting on your own philosophies and then having to sit in front of a group of people and share those philosophies and present them.
"They were well received, I clearly didn't get the nod but got positive feedback about the way I went about it and presented so it's just a matter of right time, right opportunity, hopefully in the future when they come."
He was also quizzed on his interest in the North Melbourne vacancy following the unceremonious sacking of Alastair Clarkson but was tight-lipped.
"That one there is the furthest thing from my mind, I've decided to really focus in on what we're doing. Hopefully we've got a few more weeks to go and then cross that bridge when we come to it," he said.
Hinkley gave a glowing endorsement of Graham.
"Jaymie Graham will absolutely be a senior coach in his own right at some point," he said.
"He's too good not to be. He's just got to be patient. The right team will find him."
