Hird meets with Dons; Frampton free to play; Scott plays coy on Merrett

John Longmire, the Sydney-based former Hawthorn and West Coast Eagles coach, has ruled himself out of the coaching races for both Essendon and Carlton. The decision comes days after Tasmania announced the appointment of Ken Hinkley as its inaugural coach, prompting Longmire to clarify his current priorities. In an interview with Fox Footy’s AFL 360, Longmire stated that his focus lies with business ventures in New South Wales rather than returning to the coaching ranks. This marks another step in his transition from the sidelines to the boardroom, following his departure from the Sydney Swans after the 2024 grand final defeat to Brisbane. Longmire, a five-time AFL grand finalist, initially expressed interest in re-entering the coaching fray but ultimately decided against pursuing the Essendon or Carlton roles. During the interview, he emphasized that while he had explored the possibility of coaching again, he found himself drawn to other opportunities. “I’m really fortunate, I helped start a business up here 12 months ago that I’m really jumping into and enjoying,” he said. Longmire revealed that he is fully committed to this venture, which he described as having “plenty to do” and “great potential.” His comments suggest a clear preference for focusing on his professional life outside of football. When asked directly about the specific roles at Essendon and Carlton, Longmire confirmed he would not pursue either opportunity. “I’ll be staying here in Sydney, and focused on the business here that’s doing really well, and got great potential,” he added. This aligns with reports that Longmire has been engaged in discussions with the Devils' management regarding their coaching vacancy. However, he ultimately endorsed Hinkley’s appointment, stating that the Tasmanian coach was the right choice for the position. “Looking back on it, I was asking more questions about them than they were asking about me,” Longmire remarked, suggesting a lack of mutual interest in a potential collaboration. Meanwhile, the Essendon coaching search has taken an unexpected turn with the emergence of Murray Davis as a potential contender. A senior figure within the Adelaide Crows organization, Davis serves as the club’s director of football and has previously held a long-standing assistant coaching role with the Brisbane Lions. According to insiders, Davis is currently undergoing initial meetings with Essendon officials as part of a broader recruitment process. These informal discussions are expected to conclude by early August, after which the Bombers will finalize their list of candidates. Nicks, the Crows’ head coach, has publicly supported Davis’s candidacy, highlighting his experience and leadership qualities. “Murray’s got an aspiration to head coach, and he’d be an amazing head coach,” Nicks said. “He’s done a fantastic job, and he should be considered.” Davis, who joined the Crows ahead of the 2025 season, brings a wealth of experience to the table, including nearly a decade spent coaching defenders and contributing to the Lions’ success during their 2024 premiership campaign. His personal life has also played a role in his career trajectory. Davis and his wife, Breeanna Brock, have lived approximately 2000 kilometers apart due to work commitments. Brock, a pioneering figure in AFLW, established the Lions’ women’s program a decade ago and recently relocated to South Australia to take on the role of head of AFLW at the Crows. Her presence adds to the stability and strength of the club’s operations, further supporting Davis’s case as a viable candidate for the Essendon role. As the coaching landscape continues to evolve, the focus shifts toward the Bombers’ upcoming decisions. With multiple names under consideration and a deadline approaching, the outcome of these discussions could significantly impact the future direction of the club. For now, however, the spotlight remains on Longmire’s continued commitment to his business endeavors and the growing influence of figures like Davis in shaping the next chapter of AFL coaching.