Woosha helps Bulldogs with coach hunt
West Coast premiership coach John Worsfold will head the South Fremantle selection panel searching for a coach capable of regenerating the club as a WAFL power.
As multiple flag-winner John Dimmer was appointed to the panel that will decide Perth's next coach, Worsfold's return to his club of origin has proved a major boost to the Bulldogs.
Worsfold, the 2006 Eagles premiership coach, and South Fremantle premiership captain David Gault will provide the specialist football knowledge on the panel that is expected to name Paul Hasleby's replacement within the next two weeks.
Former South Fremantle player Scott Watters, who coached Subiaco to two flags last decade and was sacked last year after two seasons in charge of St Kilda, is the frontrunner for the post.
Watters was due to meet South officials yesterday and is expected to watch the club's matches over the next two weeks.
Watters is the most successful regular coach in WAFL history, winning 78 per cent of his games during three seasons at the Lions that brought two flags and another grand final appearance.
South are seventh on the ladder after winning just four matches this season.
This year is the first since 1987 that they have missed finals for three consecutive seasons.
The Bulldogs won two flags under Dimmer last decade and twice finished in each of the other three positions in the top four.
South recently spoke to Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres, the president of the Victorian branch of the Australia Football Coaches Association, but it is understood the meeting was an information session rather than a job interview.
Dimmer and former North Melbourne football manager Jon Haines will be part of the Perth selection panel that will sift through about 20 candidates.
Damien McMahon was sacked in June after winning 28 of his 72 matches at the club.
Perth have not played finals since 1997 and have not won a flag since 1977.
Hawthorn premiership player Brent Guerra and St Kilda utility player Austinn Jones, as well as Carlton premiership player Earl Spalding who coached East Fremantle a decade ago and steered Wesley Curtin to the A grade amateur flag last year, are understood to be candidates.
Defender Brian Cook, who played in the last premiership team, is also part of the selection panel.
Perth chief executive Marty Atkins said he was delighted at the calibre of applicants but did not expect to make an appointment until next month.
"We hope to have someone in place before the WAFL grand final," he said.
Dimmer is one of the most highly credentialled coaches in the country after being involved in 12 premierships as a senior or assistant coach at South Fremantle, West Perth, Claremont and amateur team West Coast.
"We hope to have someone in place before the WAFL grand final.""Perth chief executive *Marty Atkins *
