Selwood ready to go if Royals coach quits

Adam Selwood, the West Coast premiership player and highly rated development coach, has emerged as a strong candidate to coach Eagles affiliate East Perth should Brian Dawson not continue next year.

While Dawson, 56, is driven to win a flag with the Royals after two grand final losses, he is unsure whether he will coach next season.

“I would like to win a flag because that is why you are in it,” Dawson said.

“I am out of contract at the end of year but we have had no discussions about it and I haven’t given it a lot of thought.

“I have said let’s hold off and see how we are placed at the end of the year. That’s not saying it is one way or the other but I am sure there will be some discussions over the next period.”

East Perth chief executive Dean Turner confirmed that the coaching position had not been discussed but said the club would want to know by the end of next month whether Dawson was keen to continue.

Dawson won a flag with Swan Districts in his last match at the club in 2010 and has the Royals fourth on the ladder this season and a good chance to play finals again.

Dawson’s record is outstanding, with three other grand final appearances and a third place in his five full seasons.

September action this year would see Dawson join coaching greats Jerry Dolan (17 finals campaigns in 17 seasons), Phil Matson (12 in 12), Ross Hutchinson (8 in 8) and Stan Heal (6 in 6) as the only WAFL coaches to reach finals in each of at least six seasons.

Selwood, 31, is the East Perth midfield coach and has a development role at the Eagles after playing 187 matches for the club, including the 2006 grand final win. He was also part of the State coaching panel this year and took charge of the midfielders under senior coach Darren Harris, who was impressed by the nous and communication skills of his assistant.

East Perth officials said it was a mark of Selwood’s influence that West Coast rookie Corey Adamson, who switched to baseball at 16 and has only just returned to football after six years in America, has improved so rapidly that he was able to make a strong league debut last Saturday.

Under the terms of their WAFL alignment, West Coast pay for the East Perth coach and also supply several assistants. Selwood and former Eagles Jaymie Graham and Mark Nicoski also have roles with the Royals.