ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 13: (L-R) Michael Voss midfield manager of the Power and Nathan Bassett defence coach of the power walk onto the field during the round 21 AFL match between Port Adelaide Power and the Collingwood Magpies at Adelaide Oval on August 13, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
A name that has constantly been mentioned when a vacant job opens within the league. A return to a head coaching role seems inevitable for Ratten, who has won three premierships as an assistant to Alistair Clarkson at Hawthorn.
Currently working under Alan Richardson at St Kilda, Ratten has plied his trade as a worthy No.2, and will be keen for a second gig as an AFL coach.
The ex-Carlton coach will see a return to the helm of an AFL side as a chance at redemption, after ending his tenure with the Blues in 2012 with a record of 60 wins, 59 losses and one draw over his six years with the club.
Ratten will sit high in North Melbourne's search to replace Brad Scott, as the board have the heavy task of signing a new coach for the first time in a decade. The Roos would have great interest in Ratten's signature, with the feelings likely to be mutual.
Shaw already has the backing of the North Melbourne board, having signed with the Roos as a caretaker coach as Scott's interim replacement.
Shaw will have a legitimate chance to hold a permanent coaching position, with the Roos showing great consideration for the 37-year-old.
Shaw is a two-time AFLCA coach of the year and NEAFL coach of the year, developing his duty as an AFL coach in-the-making.
North Melbourne have the remainder of the season to make their decision, giving plenty of time for Shaw to prove his pedigree as an option if the Roos fail to sign a premier target.
Recent history will fair against Shaw, with only one caretaker coach signing on permanently in the last decade. Matt Primus managed a 5-2 record with Port Adelaide as an interim coach in 2010.
Primus' senior tenure with Port only lasted 40 matches, adding just eight wins over three seasons before losing his position in 2012.
North Melbourne are expected to look elsewhere as they start a hunt for Scott's replacement, while Shaw will have the remaining 12 matches of the season to argue his case as the Roos' next No.1.
Simpson inked a new deal with the Eagles on the eve of their illustrious finals series last year, signing on until the end of 2022, yet a return to Arden Street could certainly be on the cards.
The former North Melbourne captain joined West Coast in 2014 and has lead the Eagles to four consecutive finals appearances, including last years premiership run.
“I think they know where I stand with it all. It’ll be old news pretty quickly for me,” Simpson said.
“We’ve got a lot on our plate as it is. I’m really happy where I’m at.
“I’m contracted and I’m really happy where I am. I’m at the start of a four-year contract and we’ve just come off a premiership. So, I’m happy where I’m at.”
The reigning premiership coach will be at the top of the Kangaroos' wish list, with the Roos looking to rejuvenate the 'shinboner' spirit back into the club.
It's likely that North will throw the 'kitchen sink' at Simpson, who will attract a pool of players towards the club, who currently sit on a war-chest of available salary.
Simpson is joined by John Longmire and Alistair Clarkson as candidates the Kangaroos would welcome back to the club as their new man at the helm. Both Longmire and Clarkson have been ruled out of moving away from their current positions, leaving Simpson as North's top target for 2020.
Roos once ruled out the idea of returning to coaching following his departure from Sydney in 2010, but went on to sign for Melbourne three years later.
His time with the Demons marred his coaching portfolio going on to end his time at the club with a 21-45 record.
Since retiring from coaching at an AFL level, Roos has enjoyed his time within the media and was appointed to coach the Swans' academy side shortly after leaving Melbourne. Roos' time in the development at both Sydney and Melbourne who find a smooth fit into the Kangaroos' young, growing list.
The club has longed for the right coach to get the best out of their youth and Roos' history would dictate a strong means for the Kangaroos.
North Melbourne might struggle to reignite Roos' thirst to return to coaching, but with a lucrative offer and two to three spots available to sign high profile players, he'd have to be tempted.
Many outlets believe the former Lions captain and coach is the 'red hot' favourite as the Kangaroos' next coach, and he might just be the most deserving.
Voss didn't receive an extension at Brisbane come the end of the 2013 season and soon moved to Port Adelaide as their latest midfield coach. Since his move to South Australia, Voss has thrived under Ken Hinkley and now boasts a strong chance for a second chance in charge.
It can be fair to say Voss was rushed into his first position as coach of the Lions in 2009, having taken over the reigns from Leigh Matthews, with a winning percentage of just 39.91% over his five years with the Lions.
It's understood that both Voss and fellow Port assistant Nathan Bassett have been on the radar by the Kangaroos, with the duo both building stocks as future head coaches.
For Voss, he will hope that the ideology of his former coach Matthews that coaches are better the second time around is true, and that an appointment with the Kangaroos isn't far from the horizon.