Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley believes leading Fremantle candidate Justin Longmuir is ready to be a senior coach, conceding it is inevitable the Dockers will interview his assistant before the end of the Magpies’ season.

The Dockers have launched their search for Ross Lyon’s replacement, with former Fremantle forward Longmuir installed as the early frontrunner ahead of West Coast great and WA under-18s coach Peter Sumich.

The highly-rated Longmuir has spent the past two seasons with the Magpies, rounding out a 10-year coaching apprenticeship with an “exceptional” performance as the club’s backline coach.

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Buckley said he was confident Longmuir could fulfil his role in the Magpies’ September push while also applying for the Dockers’ position over the coming weeks.

“I think that’s inevitable and I think Freo are actually interested in Justin,” Buckley said on Wednesday.

“He’s been huge for us and speaking to him briefly this morning I think he can walk and chew gum at the same time.

“He’s been excellent for us over the last couple of seasons and I’m pretty sure he can manage whatever interest may come from there.

“I’m sure he can balance that up with what we need from him, and when he’s here he’ll give absolutely 100 per cent of himself to our campaign.”

Longmuir confirmed his interest in the Fremantle position on Tuesday, via his management, saying he was “fully focused” on the Magpies’ season but open to exploring the Dockers’ role.

Buckley said the 38-year-old had been “exceptional” in his role with the Magpies after crossing from West Coast at the end of 2017 and he was capable of performing as a senior coach.

“He’s been so impressive. He’s aspired to senior coaching through his journey and he’s continued to skill himself up,” Buckley said.

“I think his relationship building with the players has been first class and to organise the defensive unit with quite a deep group of players who we’ve had to rotate through there.

“I’ve got no doubt that he could do the job. It’s up to the club that looks at him to decide if he is the right fit.”