“Keen to have a crack”: Former Carlton boss keen for Collingwood job…..

“If that opportunity came up I would certainly have a chat.”

Former Carlton AFLW coach Daniel Harford has confirmed he’s keen to “have another crack” at coaching and would “certainly have a chat” with Hawthorn amid their search for a new senior coach.

The Hawks are one of four AFLW clubs on the hunt for new coaches ahead of the 2024 season, with Collingwood, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs also readying to re-shape their coaching cohorts.

Hawthorn were left shocked by premiership-winning coach Bec Goddard’s resignation this week, forcing the Waverley club to find their second coach after Goddard’s two-season stint.

Michael Prior and Steve Symonds departed the Eagles and Magpies respectively this off-season following disappointing campaigns, while Nathan Burke was sacked by the Bulldogs after a one-win 2023 season.

With four clubs on the hunt for new coaches, Harford has thrown his hat into the ring a year on from his Blues departure.

“I’d be keen to get back and have another crack,” Harford said on Fox Footy’s AFLW Finals pre-game show.

“Sitting there this season and watching from afar, you sit back and learn and you think about things you’ve done and what might do differently next time.

“I remember talking with (former Western Bulldogs and Richmond coach) Terry Wallace, who’s had plenty of games coached in the AFL in the men’s system, he reckons your ‘second tour of duty is always better than your first’.

“There’s plenty of examples of that in all levels of footy in the last 20 years, so I’d be keen to have a crack.”

Harford left the Blues after a 14th-placed finish in season seven of the AFLW, departing Princes Park following an extensive review into the club’s women’s program.

The former Hawthorn and Carlton player could be a leading candidate for his other ex-club, with the Hawks potentially looking at Harford as Goddard’s replacement.

Harford said he’d be keen on chatting with the club that helped start his football career.

“Hawthorn is my football home, so if that opportunity came up I would certainly have a chat to the Hawks about that,” he added.

“My family are Hawthorn supporters. Everything that I’ve got through my professional career is on the back of being a Hawthorn player.

“It’d be nice to go back and [coach] if that was a possibility.”

Harford amassed 22 wins, 21 losses and 2 draws from his 45 games in charge of the Blues between 2019-2022.