Loader has taken on a development role with AFL preliminary finalist North Melbourne, an appointment which ends his tenure at the helm of the Rebels.

The well-regarded mentor, who started his coaching career at SMW Rovers, said McLaren was a capable option to be his successor.

McLaren has overseen the Rebels’ Warrnambool hopefuls during pre-season training and in practice matches for the last three years.

“I would certainly endorse Chris to put his hand up if he was interested in the job and was able to somehow make that work,” Loader said.

“I think Chris is a super operator, I’ve loved working with him. He’s been of massive assistance to myself and the whole Rebels program over the last three years.

“I couldn’t speak high enough of him and the way he goes about his footy. Whether that’s something that interests Chris or not, I’m not sure. But if he was to put his hat in the ring, he’d be a wonderful candidate.”

Loader believed his replacement could come from within the Rebels’ ranks.

“There are some wonderfully gifted coaches I’ve been able to work with over the last few years,” he said.

“Whether they put their hand up, that’s totally up to them and where they want to go. We’ve got a number of staff I imagine would be interested in the role.”

McLaren, speaking from Perth where he and Koroit teammate Ben Goodall are attending a wedding, said he was yet to give the vacant position any thought.

The father-of-three said living two hours away from Ballarat could make taking on the role tough.

“Would you have to live in Ballarat? How much would you have to be there? I don’t know if it’s feasible with a young family,” he said.

“Certainly if Parto (Rebels talent manager Phil Partington) rang and said ‘we want to have a chat’ it’d be a process I’d go through.

“But you look at what Deeks (Loader) did, he went through the under 16s then the 18s as a line coach. I’d assume there are a few guys up there in Ballarat who would be a fair way ahead of me.”

McLaren said he had enjoyed his pre-season role with the Rebels.

“You build relationships with those kids around Warrnambool, you bump into them in senior footy and watch them in finals. That’s the thing I enjoy the most, seeing them progress and improve in some areas and go on,” he said.