Fremantle assistant and former Eagle Jaymie Graham rules himself out of West Coast coach race

Fremantle assistant and former Eagle Jaymie Graham has become the latest candidate to rule himself out of the West Coach head coach role as the search to replace Adam Simpson continues. The 41-year-old, who has been at the Dockers since 2022, was believed to be among the top contenders for the job, even leaving the door open to the role when asked about it last month. But Graham has officially bowed out of contention for the top job, saying he was committed to the Dockers’ growth. “I’ve decided during the week that I’m not going to pursue the role,” he told ABC Radio. “I’m really comfortable in what I’m doing at Fremantle, really enjoying the ride that we’re on.” Graham, played 37 games for West Coast between 2005-08, said he had informed Eagles boss Don Pyke about his decision. “It is clear I want to coach one day but I am not in a rush and really enjoying my role at Freo,” he said. Graham is the latest in a growing list of experienced coaches and assistants who have ruled themselves out of the top West Coast role, which has now seen club great Dean Cox, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley and assistant Josh Carr and ex-Collingwood leader Nathan Buckley declare they are not interested. Eagles 2006 premiership player Ashley Hansen — who is currently an assistant coach at Carlton — is now the leading external candidate, while caretaker coach Jarrad Schofield is also in the running, with fans in particular rallying behind him after the side’s gritty win over Gold Coast on Friday night. Hansen would not say whether or not he was interested in the position when asked about it last month, telling 7NEWS his prospects were “confidential.” “I appreciate the interest and the question. But out of respect for the job I do now, my eyes are solely focused on trying to get my team up and support Vossy (Carlton coach Michael Voss),” he said. Graham had only one week ago stated he could be open to the West Coach job, saying he would “definitely” take the call. “I’ve made it known that I have got ambitions (to coach at AFL level), but when the time’s right,” he said last week. “At the moment I really am focussed on my role at Freo and really enjoying it. “I’m enjoying working with a young forward line and helping them to become their best self. But I’ll definitely take the call.” Speaking after his first win as interim coach on Friday, Schofield said he was enjoying his time at the helm but could not say if he would lead beyond this season. “When you see all the hard work that the players put in and the smiles on their faces, that’s why you coach,” Schofield said. “You just love it. I couldn’t be any prouder of the players. “I said the other day that wins and losses, I don’t know if they will mount up or not in terms of whether I’m endorsed. “What I do know is it just solidifies why I coach, why I accepted the opportunity to step up as interim. “I’m here to try to help the team be better and hopefully I’m doing that.” Adam Simpson’s 11-year tenure as Eagles coach came to an end last month after a “mutual agreement” between him and the club.