Donald McDonald has five weeks to prove himself as AFL senior coach material after being thrust into the Hawthorn top job on Monday by the immediate departure of Peter Schwab.

Schwab packed up his desk at Glenferrie after the club announced a reversal on the stance announced just five days ago that he would coach out the remainder of the season.

Interim chief executive Jason Dunstall said it was Schwab's decision, although Schwab had said after the 80-point weekend loss to the Kangaroos and again early that he was willing to go immediately but it would be the club's call.

The unheralded McDonald becomes just the 15th Hawthorn coach since 1945, with five weeks to show he has what it takes to be a senior coach.

McDonald, a former Kangaroos forward who had coached both Werribee and Box Hill to VFL premierships, had not been mentioned among the contenders for the permanent Hawthorn job.

Triple premiership player and former Western Bulldogs coach Terry Wallace was the leading candidate and would be interviewed by Hawthorn this week, while ex-Sydney coach Rodney Eade was also regarded as a top contender.

However Hawthorn director and leading powerbroker Dermott Brereton hinted McDonald could press his claims over the next five weeks for a 2005 appointment.

"He's been exceptional in what he's been performing at in the support coaching area," Brereton told radio SEN.

"He has an opportunity now to coach at senior level, and make no mistake he's enthusiastic about it and will give it a real rip.

"Donald will be thinking I've got five weeks to show the world that I can coach."

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