Gold Coast's search for a new head coach has been broadened with Melbourne assistant coach Jade Rawlings emerging as a candidate for the job.

After Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has signed a three-year extension to remain at Port Adelaide, the door for the Suns job flung wide open once again.

The Suns have already begun interviews with potential candidates for the job and it is believed that Rawlings has presented his case to CEO Mark Evans and the selection panel.

Carlton assistant John Barker sits as the heavy favourite for the position with bookmakers while Sydney's Stuart Dew and St Kilda's Adam Kingsley remain in the picture for the job.

Rawlings is a Level Four accredited coach and has been with the Demons since 2012 after crossing to Melbourne after spending time in Brisbane, Richmond and at VFL level.

While Barker is the favourite, Dew remains a strong contender for the job, with the highly rated assistant knocking on the door of several senior coaching positions in the past, including jobs at Essendon and Adelaide.

Dew, along with Kingsley and Barker are also Level Four accredited coaches, an exclusive program run by the AFL for prospective future head coaches.

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