A Victorian club will lock away their head coach “imminently”, as they also eye off extending the contracts of three big-name players.

Plus, a coaching contender at both Carlton and Essendon has been strongly endorsed by one of his star pupils. More in AFL Daily!

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HAWKS MASTERMIND SET TO STAY PUT

Despite noise in recent months around being sounded out by rival clubs, Hawthorn mastermind Sam Mitchell is set to stay loyal.

Midweek Tackle’s Glenn McFarlane revealed on Tuesday night that a fresh contract extension will lock away the head coach until the end of 2030 at Dingley, as his club continues to rise back up into premiership contention.

“This imminent this contract extension, absolutely imminent. It will happen very soon,” McFarlane said.

“His management were thinking about other clubs giving him a call — (but) he was always going to stay at Hawthorn.

“He’ll secure a multi-year deal that will end up being a three-year extension, with a significant pay rise. He deserves it, he’s really put this team right back.

Seven’s Tom Morris previously reported the 329-game AFL player was “gettable” last month, before stating Mitchell “isn’t going to let them offer him a long-term deal that doesn’t do justice to his skill set and his value in the marketplace”.

Mitchell has a win rate of 64.29% since the start of 2024, after taking over at the helm amid a rebuild at the beginning of 2022.

McFarlane went in to also reveal that Will Day, Jack Ginnivan and James Sicily are all expected to sign on long-term, with the trio currently out of contract at the end of next season.

Mitchell: “Jack joins a new echelon” | 07:43

STAR DOCKER’S ULTIMATE BLESSING TO DONS, BLUES COACHING CANDIDATE

Fremantle co-vice-captain Andrew Brayshaw has strongly endorsed club assistant coach Jaymie Graham for a senior head coaching position, as he prepares to press his case with both Carlton and Essendon.

Multiple reports in recent days have suggested the Blues and Bombers each have a revised group of candidates they are interviewing to appoint as their next senior coach, with Graham the only name listed in each set.

The 43-year-old is currently in his fifth season at the Dockers, after a prior stint at his former AFL club West Coast.

“He’s obviously our forward line coach … he’s an amazing connector and the playing group really love him,” Brayshaw told AFL 360.

“He’s got every right to go for it, and hopefully get one of those roles. We would be sad to see him go, but he’s definitely done his apprenticeship under ‘JL’.

“I think he’s ready to be a head coach. An amazing connector, and a really good leader who sees the game really well. He’s able to have a laugh, but also make us focus and get to work when we need to.”

Graham has been caretaker coach three times during his career; twice at Fremantle and once at the Eagles, all of which resulted in wins.