The league has compiled a wish list as it looks to fill the vacant interleague coaching position.
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Jon Henry stepped down in August due to family commitments.
Darrell Spencer (2016-17) and Brad Murray had co-coached with the ex-Wangaratta star.
Murray was tipped to also stand down, but the league will still contact him.
The O and M will also speak with two-time Yarrawonga coach Chris Kennedy, last season's Yarrawonga mentor Damian Sexton, 2017 Wangaratta premiership coach Dean Stone and Sturt grand final mentor Luke Norman in the coming weeks with a decision expected during January.
Norman was also a Wangaratta star from the late 1990s.
"At the moment it's a bit of an embarrassment of riches, any of those guys could do it and do it quite capably," league chairman David Sinclair said.
At the moment it's a bit of an embarrassment of riches, any of those guys could do it and do it quite capably.
- David Sinclair
"There's certainly big shoes to fill, Jon Henry has done an outstanding job over the last four years."
The biggest issue at representative level is getting "buy in" from the league's top players, but with grand finalists Wangaratta and Yarrawonga expected to play finals, the O and M would be guaranteed, at the very least, a favourable response from their stars.
The O and M had contested the AFL Victoria Community Championships in recent years, but they collapsed in November, forcing the league to find an opponent.
Given their rivalry, it was a natural fit for the O and M to face Goulburn Valley, with the eagerly anticipated match at the latter's home on May 23.
"We are as keen as mustard to retain the Ash-Wilson Trophy," Sinclair said.
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The O and M won the last game in a 2017 thriller at Wodonga's John Flower Oval.
The league's four ex-AFL players were vital, particularly Michael Newton.
The former Melbourne forward was the difference, kicking three goals when the GV's key forwards couldn't.
