The Hoppers have spoken to four candidates over the past week and were poised to make a decision as soon as today before another contender stepped forward.

Football operations committee chairman Wayne Matsinos refused to name any of the people involved but said former star Ben Hollands wasn’t one of them.

It is believed Matt McDonald is one of the candidates in the mix to take over at Bunton Park.

“Another person has come forward and we will be having a chat,” Matsinos said.

“Hopefully we can have something in place by next week.”

North Albury has spoken to playing and non-playing candidates with former Yarrawonga coach Bob Craig also being linked to the position.

Hollands, who is working in Adelaide with an advertising agency, has been on the Border this week and is the frontrunner to be appointed coach of Wodonga.

North Albury and Corowa-Rutherglen have spoken to Bairnsdale coach Shaun Mooney, but it is becoming increasingly likely he will stay in the East Gippsland Football League or a neighbouring competition.

Mooney said yesterday he hadn’t spoken to an Ovens and Murray club for a month which effectively rules him out of the Hoppers’ position.

“All discussions are off the table at the moment,” Mooney said.

“I just want to concentrate on the finals ahead at Bairnsdale and everything else is on hold.”

Bairnsdale is a short-priced favourite to win the EGFL premiership after finishing on top of the ladder.