John Longmire, Ken Hinkley, and Nathan Buckley are among the headline names being discussed as potential candidates for the three currently vacant AFL coaching positions. However, according to Kane Cornes, there is one name that has flown under the radar: Justin Longmuir.
Longmuir's Impressive Season
The current Fremantle Dockers coach has guided his team to the top of the ladder, riding a club-record 11 consecutive wins. The Dockers are now the bookmakers' favorites to win their first-ever premiership in 2026. Despite this success, Longmuir remains on a unique rolling staff contract, unlike any other AFL coach, whose deals are typically fixed-term. Brendon Bolton, former Carlton coach, is one of the few recent examples of a coach with a similar contractual arrangement.
Essendon and Carlton have recently parted ways with their coaches, Brad Scott and Michael Voss, respectively, while Tasmania is expected to appoint a coach later this year ahead of their 2028 entry into the competition.
Cornes' Call to Action
Speaking on The Agenda Setters on Monday night, Cornes argued that all three clubs should at least explore the possibility of hiring Longmuir. "The best current coach in the best form is available for any of those three teams to go and get," he said. "He's on a rolling contract, whatever that means. And don't listen to the Perth media mafia, who are too scared to get the clubs over there off-side: this is not his choice. He would absolutely, I'm sure of it, sign a four-year contract if this club put it to him. They will not do that, and they haven't done it yet."
Caroline Wilson attempted to downplay the suggestion, noting that Longmuir himself has said the rolling contract was his choice. "Well, he said that, yes. Of course he's going to say that," Cornes responded. "But are you telling me that if a club put a very lucrative four-year contract in front of him, that wouldn't give him some thought for his security? Supply and demand. You've got three clubs that need a coach; he's the best available coach right now, and he's gettable."
Wilson countered, "He's a man of integrity. There is no way he would walk out on Freo at the end of this year." Cornes maintained that Fremantle should secure Longmuir with a long-term deal to eliminate any doubt. "What a boost it would give Fremantle if they walked into the players and said, 'We've just signed our coach on a four-year deal — he is our guy,'" Cornes added. "The room would erupt. They love him. And he's coaching the absolute lights out. What more can he do? Eleven in a row. Three clubs want a coach, he's the best available. If you're Tassie, if you're Carlton, if you're Essendon, pick up the phone and at least inquire about him."
