Leading AFL journalist Sam Edmund believes former Essendon player Mark McVeigh is “one to watch” in the race to become the next Bombers coach. And colleague Tom Morris believes McVeigh is a “red hot” chance to go “really deep in the process.”
Morris of Channel 7 and SEN reported on Wednesday that McVeigh is one of six candidates who are “certain to receive a call” from Essendon. Morris said the Bombers have narrowed their search and are keen to interview McVeigh, James Hird, Hayden Skipworth, James Kelly, Corey Enright and Jaymie Graham.
Mark McVeigh (R) is being tipped to challenge James Hird (L) to become the next Essendon coach.
Hird is a former Essendon player and coach and has publicly stated he’s keen to return to the role. McVeigh played 232 games for the Bombers and is currently working as an assistant at the Sydney Swans.
While Skipworth (Collingwood), Kelly (Geelong), Enright (St Kilda) and Graham (Fremantle) are also assistants at rival AFL clubs. Morris reported on Wednesday that McVeigh “remains close” with Essendon president Andrew Welsh from their playing days, and “would need to weigh up whether he wants to proceed given he and his family are settled in Sydney.”
Mark McVeigh is an assistant coach at the Sydney Swans.
McVeigh has been with the Swans since 2023 after a stint with the GWS Giants, including as caretaker coach in 2022. Edmund said on SEN radio on Thursday: “I reckon ‘Spike’ (McVeigh) is seriously one to watch. He has kept a low profile. Maybe we should be talking about him more. This is crystal balling but I reckon he will go really deep in the process. It could be close.”
Morris said he can see a world in which McVeigh, Hird and current interim coach Dean Solomon are the final three in the race. “On a recent podcast after Brad Scott got sacked, I just floated the possibility that in the end you could have a combination of James Hird, Mark McVeigh and Dean Solomon all fighting for the same job when they’re all close friends,” said Morris.
“That would be really interesting. I think that’s red hot. I’m with you completely on McVeigh.”
Solomon is also close with Welsh but is yet to decide whether he’ll pursue the full-time coaching role. “It’s a tough challenge, but it’s the second time I’ve fulfilled the interim coaching role,” Solomon said on Thursday.
“If it’s not a challenge, it’s not worth it. I’ve always thought that. I’ve actually loved every moment of this, and this is where people get to work on trying to find solutions and look to the future.”
Dean Solomon is yet to decide whether he’ll pursue the Essendon job.