From Wyndham Leader
Reported by Luke D'Anello
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WERRIBEEÂ’S search for a new coach is entering its climax, with Paul SatterleyÂ’s successor set to be unveiled by the end of this week.
Tigers general manager Mark Penaluna said the Victorian Football League club was in the process of conducting final interviews with the four remaining candidates.
But it is believed the field has been reduced to three after former Casey Scorpions boss Brad Gotch accepted a position with AFL club Port Adelaide.
Penaluna denied speculation Western Bulldogs champion and ex-Melbourne assistant Scott West was the short-priced favourite to win the Werribee job.
Another former Bulldog, present Western Jets coach Steve Kretiuk is also believed to be in the running.
"There is no absolute leading candidate," Penaluna said.
"I’m pretty confident we’re going to have a good candidate.
"They’ve presented very, very well. Some in different fashions to others, but all of them you could appoint to the job no problem.
"Each of them have got the want to want to learn and develop our players as well as working with (AFL affiliate) North Melbourne."
Meanwhile, Werribee this week re-signed several of its key players, including best-and-fairest winner Ben Sharp, Robbie Castello, Kyle Hartigan, Will Sullivan, Tom Ruggles and Daniel Schibeci.
Penaluna said there were no confirmed new signings, adding some Tigers had received attractive offers from SANFL and WAFL clubs.
Clubs in those competitions work under a salary cap significantly larger to clubs in the VFL.
"It’s very difficult with interstate clubs. They’ve got the ability to throw so much more money," Penaluna said.
"I know there are quite a few of those who are talking to our players and making offers that we simply can’t compete with.
"There are some guys who are talking about going back to local football, but nothing absolute at the moment."
Former North Melbourne player Leigh Harding is contemplating his future at the Tigers after his wife, Stacey, gave birth to their first child, Milla, earlier this month.
"He is just weighing up his options at the moment," Penaluna said.
"We should know in the next week or so what he would like to do."
Penaluna is confident Travis Tuck will remain with the club if he is not handed a second chance at AFL level later this year.
Brad Mangan, who can fill a key position at either end of the ground, is also in contention for an AFL berth after being invited to the recent state combine.
Mangan could not take part in the combine because of a tear in his quad, sustained against Box Hill in the opening week of the finals.
Despite the injury, Mangan held former AFL players Brendan Fevola and Mitch Hahn goalless in successive weeks during the finals to press his claims for a spot at the elite level.
