JASON Akermanis' bid to join the Essendon coaching staff has been put on the backburner as the Bombers turn their attention to the national draft.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The North Albury coach is still in the mix to secure a development role working alongside VFL coach Matthew Egan.
Akermanis has been shortlisted for the position and was interviewed by the Bombers hierarchy last week.
Essendon has its best hand in a national draft for many years with picks four and five on Tuesday night.
Bomber coach John Worsfold was non-committal when asked about Akermanis’ prospects.
"The club has interviewed a number of applicants for that development coaching role, they're due to report to me today before they make their recommendation," Worsfold said.
It is believed Akermanis is one of two applicants remaining in the mix for the position.
Akermanis took training at Bunton Park on Monday night and told the Hoppers he expected to hear from Essendon in the next 24 hours.
The Ovens and Murray club has a back-up coaching plan if the Brownlow medallist is successful.
The Hoppers are keen for Essendon to make a decision as they still have several key players unsigned including Nick and Kris Holman and Hunter and Josh Lloyd.
Nick Holman, who won this year’s Morris medal but was ruled ineligible due to suspension, has been strongly linked to Hume league club Jindera.
He played in a premiership with the Bulldogs in 2008.
Akermanis has coached North Albury for the past three seasons with the aim of securing a coaching position in the AFL.
He spoke to Adelaide last month but was unsuccessful when new coach Don Pyke brought in his own staff.
