There is speculation Fremantle will announced its new coach as soon as tomorrow as a "distressed" Mark Harvey comes to terms with his shock sacking this afternoon.
In a sensational move that has rocked the AFL, Harvey was today informed he would not return to fulfil the remaining seasons of his contract in 2012.
The two men seemingly most likely in the frame to be his replacement are St Kilda coach Ross Lyon, who was reported earlier in the weeks to have told the Saints he would be back for 2012, and former Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade, who was sacked by the Dogs last month.
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Former South Fremantle great and Brownlow medallist Brad Hardie told Melbourne radio station 3AW he had spoken to Harvey, who believed the Dockers already had a replacement in mind.
Hardie nominated Lyon as the more likely appointee, saying he was expecting to have breakfast with Eade in Melbourne tomorrow morning.
But other sources - including Channel 7's Basil Zempilas - are insisting that Eade is the man for the Dockers job.
"He (Harvey) is very distressed and not happy. It's just come completely out of the blue," Hardie said of Harvey.
"There has been word on the vine concern about negativity (at Fremantle) during the year but when you've got 22 injuries and do such a great job for a great time, it does come out of the blue.
"It seems there was an opportunity that was too good pass up - that's what he [Harvey] thinks."
Harvey, who took over as caretaker coach during 2007 following the resignation of Chris Connolly, had been in the position full-time since 2008 and only signed a new two-year deal at the end of last season.
But after winning a final against Hawthorn last year, the Dockers endured a disappointing and injury-plagued season in 2011, which saw them finish 11th after losing their last seven games.
There have been reports today that Harvey had overruled medical advice to play unfit players.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Fremantle's chief executive Steve Rosich said terminating Harvey's contract had been an "extremely difficult decision."
"It is a decision that we believe is in the best interests of the long-term future of the Fremantle Football Club," Rosich said.
"We are very grateful for everything that Mark has done during his six years at the club and wish Mark all the best for the future, both personally and professionally."
Despite Fremantle's ordinary finish to 2011 the Harvey decision is likely to catch most fans and many pundits by surprise.
The Dockers' statement said the club would make an announcement about its new coach in due course.
There is bound to be plenty of speculation about the possible identity of that new coach, with Eade on the market and Mick Malthouse set to be shunted aside at Collingwood to allow for the Nathan Buckley succession plan.
