West Coast coach John Worsfold declined to endorse his assistant Scott Burns as a potential Adelaide coach, while Western Bulldogs mentor Rodney Eade said the job wasn't on his radar.

On the eve of Adelaide's board meeting to form their plan to find a replacement for Neil Craig, Burns emerged as the frontrunner.

Craig quit on Monday, with dual Crows premiership captain Mark Bickley to fill the caretaker coaching role for the remainder of the season.

With experienced coaches Mick Malthouse and Paul Roos ruling themselves out of a move to Adelaide, Burns heads a list to fill the position from next season.

South Australian-born Burns, a former Collingwood captain, has been an assistant to Worsfold at the Eagles for three years.

But Worsfold, while praising Burns' strategic nous, was unaware whether his assistant was interested in the Adelaide job.

"I haven't spoken to Burnsy about the current situation," Worsfold told reporters in Perth on Wednesday.

"But I expect like all young assistant coaches they're doing that (understudy) role while they're building up either the hunger to become a senior coach, or to add some skills because they already have the hunger there.

"It's not really my decision to say they are ready ... it's well out of my area."

The Crows interviewed Eade seven years ago for the coaching position ultimately given to Craig.

Eade said on Wednesday he had started negotiations with the Bulldogs regarding a new contract, adding being linked to the Adelaide role was "all hypothetical".

"I haven't thought about it at this stage," Eade said.

"Firstly I'm concentrating on the season, so that's all hypothetical.

"There's a process in place with the Bulldogs, which has begun.

"The main thing is I want to coach AFL footy."

Adelaide's board will meet on Thursday to formulate their search for a new coach.

The meeting comes ahead of Bickley, undecided whether he wants the permanent coaching job, taking the reins for Adelaide's grudge match against Port Adelaide on Sunday.

Port captain Dom Cassisi expected the upheaval to galvanise the Crows.

Cassisi and his Power teammates went through an identical situation last year when Mark Williams stood down and was replaced by Matthew Primus with seven games remaining.

"It is a pretty difficult time for players to go through, a change of coach," Cassisi said.

" ... But the reality is, you have just got to move on with it as soon as possible and really stay galvanised as a playing group.

"These things often can make the playing group a little bit stronger, even though it is unfortunate for the coach."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP