Trigg, who chairs the panel tasked with finding the next senior coach, said they had trimmed a list of candidates to below 20. Further cutting will come but anyone left standing will need to overtake Barker in the pecking order.

In five rounds since inheriting the reins from Mick Malthouse, Barker has taken the Blues to two wins and two single-figure losses, a vast improvement on the uncompetitive side from earlier in the season.

It’s certainly been noticed by the selection panel and Trigg said it gave him a leg-up on the field.

“He is in a unique and ideal position to be able to audition really strongly,” Trigg said. “In his last five weeks the coaching panel have done a really wonderful job and we’re really pleased with the way they’re going.”

Should the wins dry up for Carlton, there is every chance it won’t count against Barker, who has been charged with “trying a few things” by the Blues hierarchy.

Trigg has not discounted finding the next coach from outside the club’s current coaching group, giving a few clues as to the qualities they are looking for.

“Connection with players, building culture, demonstrating leadership ... they’re all really important aspects for any coach,” he said. “Whether they are auditioning with the steering wheel at hand ... or we’re talking to them separately, there needs to be a demonstration of a capacity to be able to build all that.”

Assistants Simon Lloyd (at Fremantle), Adam Kingsley (St Kilda) and Stuart Dew (Sydney) have all been linked with the job, along with former senior coaches Guy McKenna and John Worsfold.

The Blues launched their Reconciliation Action Plan at Ikon Park yesterday, outlining 40 ways the club hopes to be more understanding and welcoming of indigenous culture. Trigg said the club hoped to become a leader in supporting indigenous players.

AAP