Neeld is another candidate in the running to be our next coach....Pies float Mark Neeld for Richmond jobJay Clark | July 21, 2009
COLLINGWOOD chiefs have declared assistant coach Mark Neeld capable of causing a boilover in the Richmond coaching race.
The Magpies have thrown their full support behind the assistant, whose two-year reign as backline coach has won high acclaim at the club.
Neeld, 38, will present to the Tigers' selection panel this week on the back of a strong recommendation from Magpies coach Mick Malthouse.
Collingwood chief of football Geoff Walsh said Neeld's impressive turn in control of the team's NAB Cup campaign had convinced it he was ready to become a senior coach.
"He handled that responsibility during the pre-season extremely well, endorsing our opinion that he is a very strong senior coaching candidate," Walsh said.
"We are delighted with the way he has progressed, and he would be the first to admit the AFL environment has really allowed him to blossom.
"Players appreciate his honesty and the way he can deliver a constructive message."
The club credited Neeld for a major role in the improvement of its backline, which includes four - Simon Prestigiacomo, Nick Maxwell, Harry O'Brien and Heath Shaw - in the All-Australian mix.
Nathan Buckley will have the pick of the coaching jobs, but it is believed the Magpies legend is favouring North Melbourne or a senior assistant's opportunity at Collingwood over the Richmond job.
Neeld, who played 26 games with the Tigers and 48 for Geelong in the mid-1990s, will have to overcome a lower profile than leading candidates such as Hawthorn's Damien Hardwick and Leon Cameron from the Western Bulldogs.
But Magpies captain Maxwell felt Neeld's 13-year teaching background and ability to develop young players gave his coaching an edge.
"He's someone the players didn't know much about when he arrived, but as soon as you work with him you realise how good he is," Maxwell said.
Neeld's coaching resume includes four straight premierships with Ocean Grove in the Bellarine Football League and a three-year stint at TAC Cup club Western Jets.
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