The Dogs are in no rush and will almost certainly again appoint an untried coach.
The Herald Sun believes North Melbourne assistant Leigh Tudor and Ross Lyon’s right-hand man Peter Sumich (Fremantle) will be sounded out, along with Brett Montgomery.
Montgomery was McCartney’s senior assistant and a runaway winner of the AFL’s assistant coach of 2014 award.
He is rated highly at Whitten Oval and has the players’ support.
Luke Beveridge, set to start as St Kilda’s director of coaching when he returns from overseas, is also expected to be interviewed, while Andy Lovell (Suns) could be considered.
But the Bulldogs have not contacted dual premiership Hawthorn assistant coach Brett Ratten or VFL coach Gary Ayres and have told club legend Scott West he does not have the experience to be considered.
Ayres said he was not expecting a call while Ratten said his passion for a second senior job remained, but he was happy at the Hawks.
“I haven’t been contacted, but I’m very happy at the Hawks and … that’s probably where I’ll stay,” he said.