Lost in the drama of Tuesday was one glaring ommission: the Essendon Bombers have one match left to play -- a dead rubber against Richmond -- before being left out of this year's finals series. However, the one clear thing in this latest development is that they will have to take the field without erstwhile head coach James Hird, who was meted a 12-month ban from the game.

At first glance, the Essendon coaching job is a dream occupation for any self-respecting footy addict, what with its loyal following both offline and online (more than 50,000 followers on Twitter alone). However, it seems that potential candidates are not exactly queueing up for the job.

Among those reportedly being eyed to replace Hird are former Essendon great and current Brisbane coach Mark Harvey, who has been vetted by fellow icon Kevin Sheedy; former Sydney coach Paul Roos; and current Essendon assistant coach Mark Thompson. Among the three, both Harvey and Roos have indicated that they are not interested in the position, with Roos saying that the rumors are "laughable".

Harvey, on the other hand, is focused on his career at Brisbane, where he is standing in for Michael Voss, whose contract is not being renewed at the end of the year. He is also caught in the middle of a boardroom drama that could derail his being named as permanent coach. Still, Harvey told reporters that he feels for the club where he was the focal point for seven years.

"It's been difficult to sit back and watch and not be able to do anything about it. I just hope it gets resolved and the game can move on."

One name mentioned by Essendon chairman Paul Little, surprisingly, is that of Kevin Sheedy himself. Little told the media after Tuesday's AFL Commission meeting that Sheedy is among the people prepared to "assist the club in a new role".

While Sheedy himself will neither confirm nor deny the rumors, one thing is for certain: assistant coach Simon Goodwin, one of those not touched by the scandal, will coach the Bombers on Saturday night. It also appears that Hird wishes Mark Thompson to coach the club in 2014. Hird himself has reportedly agreed to a contract extension through 2016.