Brisbane assistant Cam Bruce has declined to take part of the Carlton coach “process” after the Blues inquired about his interest in the role.
7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary has revealed the highly respected Bruce turned down the offer due to family reasons after he was “sounded out” by the Carlton officials.
“He has a daughter heading into the final year of school next year and is settled in Queensland for now,” Cleary said.
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Bruce was named the AFL’s Assistant coach of the Year last season.
The 46-year-old was a former star for Melbourne before finishing his 234-game career at Hawthorn.
Before becoming an assistant coach at Brisbane in 2021, Bruce was a senior assistant at Carlton.
His coaching journey started at Hawthorn in a development role, where he worked under Alastair Clarkson during the Hawks threepeat between 2013-2015.
Of course, in his times at the Hawks, he also worked with current Brisbane coach Chris Fagan who himself is out to score a threepeat of premierships this year with the Lions.
Other names in Carlton’s coaching hunt include David Hale (Hawthorn), Collingwood assistant Hayden Skipworth (who pulled out of the Melbourne process last year), and possibly Brett Montgomery from GWS.
Gun 7NEWS sports Tom Morris revealed that Carlton footy boss Chris Davies “had a coffee” with Montgomery a couple of weeks ago in Sydney.
“I don’t think he’s going to be a leading candidate, but he’s part of that broader group,” Morris said.
Cleary has already confirmed six of the candidates.
Fremantle’s forward coach Jaymie Graham is among the contenders, known to Wright from the Collingwood coaching process.
Geelong pair James Rahilly and James Kelly are also in the mix. Kelly was well-regarded in Melbourne’s coaching process last year, while Rahilly is renowned for his nous on ball movement.
Daniel Giansiracusa, who has made the jump to become a key voice at Hawthorn this year, will also meet with the Blues.
Brendon Lade, Luke Beveridge’s right-hand man at the Western Bulldogs, is no stranger to coaching processes in recent years and has been confirmed as a candidate.
Corey Enright will also meet with Carlton, despite many believing he’s the long-term replacement for Ross Lyon at St Kilda.
Cleary said Fraser is right in the mix as well.
“The smokey remains Josh Fraser. While publicly he remains steadfast, he won’t be applying. I believe the door is still ajar on him potentially joining the process in coming weeks as he chases his seventh straight win this week against Richmond,” Cleary added.