Geelong assistant coach James Kelly is unfazed about the noise around James Hird, saying how Essendon run their process is up to them.
Having missed out to fellow Cats assistant Steven King for the Melbourne AFL senior coaching role last year, Kelly has some hard-earned perspective.
While he joked about wondering if he wore the right shirt to his interview with the Demons, Kelly said the most important thing was making sure he continued to develop in his role at Geelong.
The Bombers are yet to lay out the process for picking next year's senior coach. Hird has made his interest clear and that has prompted concerns it will scare off others from going for the role.
"If they decide that James is going to be part of the process and then they want another James to be part of the process, then you just make the decision then," Kelly said on Thursday morning.
"You can't be worried about competing ... they're not just going to hand you one.
"I was an Essendon supporter. I loved James Hird - we'll see how he goes."
Kelly deputised for the Cats' senior coach Chris Scott at his weekly pre-game media conference. Scott is unwell, but Kelly said the mentor would "definitely" coach in Friday night's home game against Gold Coast.
Kelly, the three-time Geelong premiership player who ended his 313-game career at Essendon, remains keen to be a senior coach.
With Carlton also in the market, there is a good chance he will be an applicant again. But Kelly is careful to note that decision is not all his.
"If it doesn't work in the short term, I'm not crying about it," he said.
"Just improve myself generally, as a person as a coach - if I have that attitude I will end up where I want to be, without saying 'that's where I want to be and I'm going to work backwards from that'.
"One thing you have to be careful of - it's their process ... to come up with.
"I can't get involved in that at all, saying 'well, you should interview me', or 'I have an expectation to be interviewed', just because I went for the Melbourne job last year."
Kelly made it clear he is rapt King is doing well at the Demons. But he admitted to plenty of self-analysis after missing out.
"Kingy wore a blue shirt, I wore a green shirt. Maybe it's just how my mind works - you end up just thinking about everything," Kelly said.
"I don't think he's too bad, but always with those situations ... it's best to get them out of the building so it doesn't spread."
With star defender Tom Stewart out because of concussion, Lawson Humphries will return against the Suns.
White Out awaits 👀
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) June 11, 2026
📖https://t.co/tYBUUwGuI1 pic.twitter.com/D5c0Ehe0aC
Young ruckman Mitch Edwards is also back, with Geelong managing Gryan Miers, who has been remarkably playing on with a partially damaged ACL.
Gold Coast, coming off a bruising QClash loss, have made four changes for their trip to Geelong.
Former co-captain Jarrod Witts has been dropped as he impact wanes due to the new ruck rules, while Will Powell, Lachie Weller and Will Graham are all injured.
Gold Coast, who smashed the Cats back in Opening Round, will attempt to breakthrough for their first win at GMHBA Stadium.
