The Bulldogs were hopeful of naming a new coach before the senior players returned from leave on Monday and remain confident they will yet do so by then, but they are not wedded to that time frame accepting that if the process goes a day or two longer they will take the time they need. Regardless they expect to have a new coach within the week.

Former Geelong premiership coach Mark Thompson's split from Essendon where he had been senior coach during James Hird's suspension this year, will not alter the process or the timing for the Bulldogs who were understood to have no interest in Thompson in a senior role.

Former Adelaide coach Neil Craig, who is head of coaching development and strategy at Essendon has also been interviewed for the senior coach's position and possibly a mentoring role to a young coach at the Bulldogs.

It was thought the Dogs process had narrowed the candidates to a choice between Craig and Beveridge and that the decision by Essendon and Thompson to split in part revealed a likelihod that Craig would remain at the Bombers. Essendon is understood to be confident that Craig will be at the Dons next year.

Candidates for the Bulldogs job had been advised that they were likely to need to fit within a structure of existing assistant coaches - Daniel Giansiracusa coaching the forwards, Joel Corey the midfield, Rohan Smith the defenders and Steven King the rucks - while Brent Montgomery would remain as senior assistant coach.

Were Montgomery - who has also been a candidate for the senior position - to get the job, obviously that structure would change.

Beveridge was interviewed by the Dogs upon his return from a trip overseas and appears to be firming for the job. He remains due to take up a position at St Kilda as director of coaching after being poached from Hawthorn where he had worked for three years, this year as backline coach. The Saints were understood to be consoldating the view that Beveridge may not actualy arrive at the club for his new job.

Experienced assistant coach Leigh Tudor has been in the running for the role while experienced Fremantle assistant coach and former west coast Eagles forward Peter Sumich withdrew from the process last week for family reasons.