Loading

Hird, earlier this season, had denied suggestions he was interested in returning to Essendon as coach.

Buckley, 53, said his desire to coach again was real.

“It’s there, otherwise it would be an easy no. I can’t lie. When yesterday [Goodwin’s sacking] happened, I knew this would all come around again,” he said.

“Even in yourself, this brings the timeline forward again if you feel like there is a case, if you like the people, if you see the opportunity to make a change, make a difference, you have to work that out quick smart because the call, or I would expect, the call would come.”

Former Melbourne player Jordan Lewis, now a commentator at Fox Footy alongside Buckley, said Buckley would be his No.1 option to take charge of the Demons.

Former Swans premiership coach John Longmire and former West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson are among those also likely to be sounded out about the Demons, who are still finalising their coaching subcommittee.

“When I went into coaching the first time, it was just a blind faith – this is my future, this is what I do, and this is the next challenge, the next mountain to climb,” Buckley said.

“If I went back into it, I wouldn’t be doing it the same way. It would be far more conscious, far more considered, it wouldn’t just be about where football sits in my life. It would be where football sits in amongst the rest of my life, which I never really had to, or did consider, before.”

Buckley said he agreed with Goodwin’s assertion on Tuesday that the Demons, sitting in 12th spot with only seven wins this season, could rise quicker than many expected.

“I think so. There are a lot of elements, and I think they showed in the last couple of months, when you play a more expansive brand of offence, you sort of open it up,” he said.

Melbourne wingman Ed Langdon did not agree with the club’s board that a new coaching voice was required to lead the team back up the ladder. Interim coach Troy Chaplin will lead the Demons against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

“I’m not sure I would agree with that, but that’s the board’s decisions,” Langdon said on Wednesday, speaking ahead of his 200th match this weekend, with Goodwin’s departure hanging over the club.

Loading

“I can only comment on the players’ relationship with Goody, which was always positive.

“We always respected him and loved him as a coach, so if that’s what the board thinks, then that’s what the board thinks.”

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has all but ruled out pursuing a head coaching job next season, saying he won’t decide his future until Christmas.

Hinkley’s 13-year tenure as Port Adelaide head coach finishes in three weeks when he hands over to long-time assistant Josh Carr.

“I appreciate your question, but it’s not a today question,” Hinkley said on Wednesday when asked about his plans for next year.

“For me, I am going to take a moment to enjoy three more weeks.

“And then I am going to reset, refresh, do some things with my family, really enjoy things that I haven’t been able to enjoy for a little period of time and then think about what is next.

“I’m sorry, I am just not going to think about it today. I don’t think I am going to think about it before Christmas, I don’t think I am.”

Asked if he wanted a tilt at the Melbourne job, Hinkley replied: “No, I fancy a tilt at the next three weeks at Port Adelaide … I am not going to get drawn into anything other than [that].”

More to come

With AAP

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.