And with 506 games between them as one-club players for North Melbourne, there aren\u2019t two bigger prospective contenders for the role than premiership coaches Longmire and Simpson. <\/p>\n
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n Watch every match of the 2026 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n Longmire has been out of head coaching for nearly two seasons, but has been sounded out by Melbourne and Tasmania, among others, since stepping down from the Sydney coaching job at the end of 2024. <\/p>\n Simpson, meanwhile, has also been relentlessly questioned over his desire to coach again at the top level since his West Coast tenure ceased two years ago. <\/p>\n But when the prospect of coaching their old club was put to them on AFL 360 on Wednesday night, neither was willing to commit to a definitive answer on their intentions. <\/p>\n \u201cObviously, I knew this one was coming,\u201d began Longmire on Fox Footy. <\/p>\n \u201cMy first instant reaction would be, it\u2019s just happened today, Gerard. It\u2019s just happened today. So, let\u2019s let the dust settle. That\u2019s my reaction.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: Clarko left \u2018seething\u2019 by Roos presser as great rues \u2018words\u2019 that \u2018picked apart\u2019 sacked coach<\/a><\/p>\n David King’s reaction to Clarko sacking | 07:57<\/p>\n Simpson, meanwhile, who said the news of the day came as \u201ca shock\u201d, echoed Longmire\u2019s sentiment. <\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t take my headspace out of him and what he\u2019s going through,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd the club will work through what they need to work through. And to be brutally honest, I haven\u2019t given it a lot of thought. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd I know that sounds a bit wishy-washy. And you\u2019re going to ask another two questions that are going to be the same type of questions, boys. But it\u2019s a bit early. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd since we\u2019ve been doing this (media), what have we had? We had Vossy (Michael Voss), Ken (Hinkley), Brad (Scott) and Simon Goodwin (all leave their respective clubs), and I think we\u2019ve been asked the same question every time. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd this is a little bit different because it\u2019s North. But it\u2019s just a bit early to talk about what we perceive as an opportunity, versus a mate who\u2019s lost his job.\u201d<\/p>\n John Longmire and Adam Simpson were asked on AFL 360 about the vacant North Melbourne job.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/p>\n \u2018DIDN\u2019T SEE IT COMING\u2019: Reason why Roos axed \u2018upset\u2019 Clarko as \u2018gaping holes\u2019 exposed<\/a><\/p>\n COACHING CONTENDERS: Two familiar faces lead Roos race… but don\u2019t sleep on these coaching dark horses<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1788367836_942_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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