Former GWS Giants coach Leon Cameron has divulged his reasoning behind removing his name from contention for the Essendon senior coaching role.
Speaking on SEN’s Crunch Time Cameron said he was looking forward to a year outside of a senior coaching role to reflect and develop his skillset for future opportunities.
“I absolutely love coaching,” he said.
“But you can’t just half go into a job at any level.
“I just kept looking at myself saying, ‘I’m not ready, I'm not ready. I need to reflect.’ I love footy and coaching, but I can’t go in at 95 per cent.”
The 50-year-old was approached by Essendon Football Manager Josh Mahoney earlier in the week and admitted the urge to go for the role was still there.
“I had a chat with Josh (Mahoney) on Thursday or Friday … and I just informed him that I was going to stay in Sydney and thanked him for the opportunity to talk, the timing just wasn’t right,” he said.
“Some part of your brain wants to throw your hat in the ring but then the other half goes no, I've got some family commitments here.”
Since sacking former head coach Ben Rutten after Round 23, Essendon has been on the lookout for a “more experienced coach” according to new CEO David Barham and had notably been turned down by renowned coach Ross Lyon a few days prior to contacting Cameron.
Cameron said the Bombers would have taken him and any other candidate through a full interview process, which he fully supported.
“I think (Essendon) are doing everything right. (The interview process) had no bearing on my decision. If I was ready in 12 months' time, I’m full on. If that means I start at step one, then I start at step one,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cameron has accepted the role of Coaching Director of the Swans Academy and will begin in November.
He said it was a no-brainer to take on the role, which will see him work with some of Sydney's brightest players before they're drafted.
“When I got the opportunity to work with the Swans it was a no-brainer,” Cameron said.
“It allows (my family) to stay in Sydney with the family which was always the plan.
“I wanted to use the next 12 months to reflect on what happened in the previous 10 years as a senior coach of the Giants … and reflect on the areas I want to improve.”
Cameron took the Giants to a losing Grand Final in 2019 and had a win-loss record of 101-88.