Following Rodney Eade's sacking, there has already been plenty of speculation about who will assume the role as head coach in 2018.

We have taken a look at the credentials for a number of candidates to see who should be given the job to get the Suns on the rise.

John Barker

After 168 games for Fitzroy, Brisbane and Hawthorn, Barker immediately joined the league's coaching ranks. A two year stint at St Kilda was succeeded by a return to the Hawks for the 2009 and 2010 seasons as their forward line coach.

Since 2011, Barker has called Carlton home as an assistant coach.

The red-hot favourite for the job, Barker comes with a glowing recommendation from the Carlton Football Club. His 3-11 record as caretaker coach of the Blues when Mick Malthouse was sacked was referenced by Blues CEO Steven Trigg when asked whether Barker would be the right man for the job.

Stuart Dew

A dual-premiership player, Dew is considered a standout among the assistant coaches around the league. Following 206 games with Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, Dew joined Sydney's coaching ranks as defensive coach in 2011.

Currently the Swans' Coordinator of Assistant Coaches, Dew took part in the AFL's Level Four coaching course in 2015 along side the likes of Brendan Bolton, Simon Lloyd, Robert Harvey and Blake Caracella. It was reported that Dew was a stand out in his class, thanks in large part to his time as John Longmire's senior assistant, which holds him in good stead should the sun shine down on him at the Gold Coast.

Brad Scott

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Brad Scott head coach of the Kangaroos walks from the field at half time during the round 17 AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Adelaide Oval on July 15, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

The current coach of North Melbourne has dropped spectacularly in the market after opening at $41 yesterday afternoon. Currently sitting at $4.00 with Sportsbet, Scott boasts a 51.19% win percentage in his time at North Melbourne from 168 games.

While he has repeatedly suggested he is fully committed to the Arden St club, he has also acknowledged the fact that the club could look elsewhere in 2018 as they look to continue their rebuild.

After 146 games (of 168) of his playing career in the sunshine state, is Scott the right man for a rebuild up north?

Brett Ratten

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 05: Brett Ratten the assistant coach of the Hawks looks on during the round 23 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 5, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Thanks to an expansive coaching career thus far, Ratten would not be out of place should the Suns look in his direction. Following a stellar playing career, time at Melbourne, Norwood (Victoria) and Carlton helped prepare Ratten for the rigours of senior coaching.

A five-year stint as Carlton head coach ended in 2012 where many felt Ratten was hard done by in losing his job. He has since joined Hawthorn's coaching panel which has seen him heavily involved in the Hawks' period of dominance in the league.

51.29% of his 116 games coached have ended in wins, surely a record the Suns wouldn't mind having right now.

Blake Caracella

during a Richmond Tigers AFL training session at ME Bank Centre on July 21, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia.

Another candidate with premiership experience under his belt, Caracella is also highly regarded in AFL coaching circles, renowned to be an astute thinker of the game.

After 187 games with Essendon, Brisbane and Collingwood, Caracella joined Geelong's coaching ranks and worked under closely with Chris Scott to deliver the Cats their 2011 premiership. Currently, Caracella works under Damien Hardwick at the Tigers, who are having their best season in over 15 years.

Dean Solomon

A former hard-nut of the league, Solomon will take the reins of the Suns for the remaining three weeks of the season.

Undoubtedly, this will allow him to prove his case to the board as to why he is the right man for the job, having been with the club since their inception in 2011. Highly regarded by Eade, Solomon's extended time with the Suns could work against him should they decide they want fresh ideas and someone from outside the current structure.

Peter Sumich

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 07: Peter Sumich of the Dockers looks on during the 2016 AFL Round 20 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium on August 07, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

A West Australian through and through, Sumich comes with a wealth of experience after 150 game with West Coast and over 15 years of coaching in the AFL.

After joining John Worsfold at the Eagles in 2002, Sumich held an assistant role for ten seasons before defecting to Fremantle in 2011. Despite resigning at the end of 2016 after losing his love for the game, Sumich declared that he had not given up hope of becoming a senior AFL coach.

Sumich has been overlooked for several senior positions in the past, including at Essendon in 2007 and West Coast in 2013.