There is a blind spot AFL clubs have when selecting their senior coaches and it could be costing them the best candidate.

That’s according to Seven footy analyst Kate McCarthy, who can’t work out why AFLW senior coaches — provided they have interest — aren’t courted for senior men’s roles.

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Carlton, Essendon and Tasmania are all in the midst of ongoing coach searches and their respective processes are becoming clearer by the week.

John Longmire, Ken Hinkley and Nathan Buckley are seen as the frontrunners for the Tassie job; Dean Solomon and James Hird are among the candidates for Essendon; and several untried coaches like Jaymie Graham, James Kelly, Hayden Skipworth, Corey Enright, Joel Corey and Brett Montgomery are in the mix for Carlton.

Each of those potential names have strong AFL experience and would make worthy senior coaches.

But there are another pool of candidates who never appear to be considered, but should be, according to McCarthy.

“I just think we’re really missing a trick here,” she told The Agenda Setters on Wednesday night.

“There is an AFLW competition that has some of the most successful coaches that are going around.

Kate McCarthy thinks AFLW senior coaches should be considered for AFL roles. Credit: The Agenda Setters

“So have a look at those winning percentages from Darren Crocker (76.32 per cent from 76 games), Craig Starcevich (71.03 from 107) and Matthew Clarke (70.65 from 92) coaching at their respective clubs (North Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide).

“Every single one of them has won two flags at their clubs. Every single one of them has been a part of a men’s senior football side as well. Two of them are premiership players themselves.

“Why are the best coaches in the AFLW, and even assistant coaches, never in this conversation?

“Whether they want to be a part of it or not — I’m sure there are names that we’ve brought out during the journey that don’t want to be a part of it.”

Jasmine Garner and Darren Crocker celebrate North Melbourne’s 2025 AFLW grand final victory over Brisbane Lions Credit: Getty Images

The former Brisbane, St Kilda and Hawthorn speedster says AFLW senior coaches could easily go straight from their roles to the men’s equivalent.

“I think they’re more qualified than most of the assistant coaches that are going for it because they’re senior coaches to start with,” she added.

“They are leading an underrepresented, underfunded program when you compare the two soft caps. They’ve been able to do it in times that are a little bit more trying sometimes in the AFLW program.

“So why are they not ready or why are we not putting their names up in the media to say that they’re ready for this opportunity?

“And if they don’t want it, they don’t want it. But these are some of the best of the best.

“Those winning percentages are all greater than the greatest men’s coach, which is Chris Scott, since 2011 at Geelong.

“Why are we not talking about these people?”

Mitch Cleary agreed: “I must admit, I’m surprised they’re not considered for line coaches or assistant coaching roles because you don’t even hear that.”

“Well, they’ve got more experience than line coaches because they’ve been senior players themselves in men’s programs, they’ve been a head coach of a program,” McCarthy added.

“They are more than qualified to be head coaches of a men’s program.”

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