North already have an early version of a short list,but the club must be sensitive to Shaw's personal issues,which the Roos did well to keep out of mainstream media for some weeks,given that the coach's situation - or at least a broad outline of it - was widely known and had started seeping into the anything-goes realm of social media.
In the probable event that Shaw doesn't return,North will move quickly from phantom to full-bore search. The Roos cannot wait too long for Shaw to confirm his position. Training starts for younger players (years one to four) on December 11;ideally,they'd have a coach by Melbourne Cup Day,which is a stretch. They mightn't have one in place until mid-way through the trading period.
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The time constraints mean there are dual pressures upon the club board,chief executive Ben Amarfio and football boss Brady Rawlings.
A relatively quick appointment - again,assuming Shaw finishes up - is preferable,but not at the expense of getting it right,given the enormity of what the new coach will confront:a team in the throes of a heavy-duty rebuild,which has cleaned out 11 players (plus withShaun Higgins heading to Geelong) and which has removed six of Shaw's assistants.
A further issue for the Roos - and there's no airbrushing this - is that their position on the ladder,their playing list's weaknesses (evident in the delistings) and the industry's view of the club as vulnerable and troubled,means some coaching candidates will politely excuse themselves from pursuing the job.
A smart candidate will asking questions of North,including the role of Glenn Archer at the football club. Archer,from what one can gather,has been empowered to a degree that is unhealthy for a board member,who should focus on governance and oversight;if these questions mean you don't get hired,then that reflects more on the club than on that prospective coach.