Her coaching record, albeit in a completely different sport, backs up her confidence. On Monday it emerged Alexander had applied for and been rejected from North Melbourne's vacant senior coaching position.

Alexander can coach. She's arguably one of the greatest mentors in Australian sporting history.

Her tenure as Australian Diamonds coach yielded a winning percentage of 81 per cent, which is phenomenal in any sport.

Does that mean she's the right fit for North Melbourne? It's a tough question to answer. So much is made of former players and clubs are criticised for appointed ex-footballers into coaching roles which allegedly perpetrates the so called "boys club" mentality which dominates footy as a sport.

There's an element of fairness in that criticism but given North Melbourne's situation, it's debatable as to whether the club can afford to go with another first-time coach.

It's not a reflection on Alexander's strength as a candidate, or football knowledge. She claims to follow the sport closely and would have no qualms implementing her own tactical theories on the Kangaroos' playing group.

But North is in a situation which needs to be handled risk-free. Alexander could become a marvel and her skills, at least a few of, would be transferrable.

It's not clear how far Alexander's knowledge of footy stretches and only those close to her would know.

But North needs to get this rebuild right. It needs to go for a seasoned football coach who has proven they can develop young players. Financially, things are rosy at Arden Street, but that might not last forever.

Australian rules football is one of the most tactically diverse sports in the world. Would an AFL club give Sir Alex Ferguson a head coaching job if he applied? It would be hard to argue for given people of all genders are toiling away at the grassroots level of the sport for that elite opportunity.

North Melbourne needs to break the shackles of mediocrity and it needs a proven head coach to lead that charge.

Alexander could play a role at the Kangaroos. She'd be an ideal coaching mentor or someone who could provide invaluable support and standards to the entire coaching group. Potentially the right person at the wrong time.

Would she consider an AFLW job or a development coaching role? Her comments on Melbourne radio suggest not.

"I've been trying to explain this. I know it sounds disingenuous. If I'm into AFL I should be going for AFLW positions," she said on SEN Breakfast.

"I'm really trying hard not to be arrogant and boast about this, but my skillset is at a higher level now.

"It's sort of more at the level of development of the AFL men's game. I think the AFL women's game needs more of the development level coaches to get it up to the elite level.

"That's my observation. I have been into clubs to observe the AFLW programs and I guess I think my skills are more suited to the men's programs at this stage."

She didn't get the North job, but her skills wouldn't be wasted with any club in Australian sport. Just something to think about.

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