The Emus are still to find a replacement for Tyrone Ross, who has left the region, and Kiernan Molloy, who each stepped into the position late last season after the departure of Adam Brookshaw.

Brookshaw was at the helm less than a year.

Skipton president Andrew Bodman said the club had opened negotiations with potential candidates, but was leaving the door open to other possibilities.

He believed the Emus were still some way from making an appointment.

Bodman said while Molloy, a premiership player with the club, was interested in staying involved, but business and family commitments did not allow him to continue in a coaching role in his own right.

Skipton is one of three CHFL clubs still to appoint a senior coach. Ballan is yet to find a successor for Mark Williams, while Carngham-Linton has a vacancy after Glenn Treacy left.