But the Whites insist their bizarre move is "club policy" to test the market, insisting Fahey remains in contention to keep his job for the John I Dent Cup season next year.

Fahey's coaching future is the latest development in the club ranks, which includes Easts appointing former Wallaby and Brumby John Ross as their new boss and retired Test star Owen Finegan stepping aside as Gungahlin Eagles mentor.

Finegan will move to a club coaching role, while Royals are also looking for a first XV mentor after Russell Ingram stepped down.

Fahey is one of a handful of applicants who are in the running for the Whites' position. He will learn his fate when the board decides on a successful candidate on Wednesday.

Fahey admitted he was shocked when he was told he would have to apply to continue with the Whites for a third season.

The young and unheralded Whites narrowly lost to the Tuggeranong Vikings in the grand final last month.

"The third year is when you really put a stamp on the team. We've come a long way, we've got the youngest team in the competition and we made the grand final," Fahey said.

Queanbeyan president David Jones said Fahey was not on the outer at the club, adamant the motivation to advertise his job was part of the club's yearly plan.

"It's part of our constitution that we advertise for coaches each year. We just put it out there to see who is about," Jones said.

"Adam hasn't been ruled out. He is one of the applicants. We will appoint a coach next Wednesday for first grade and our colts team.

"We do a review on the coaches every year and find out what the players were happy with. It's just a general review to see how we can improve."

Ross, a former Wallaby and Brumby, has been given the toughest job in Canberra rugby – rebuilding foundation club Easts.

Easts won just one game last season and conceded 508 points in 12 games. They also took the unprecedented action of forfeiting a mid-week game after being thrashed 92-0 by eventual champions Tuggeranong.

"It's a big challenge, but there's a bit going for Easts," Ross said.

"It won't be easy and it won't happen overnight, but it is a work in progress. They just need to get a bit more organised and a bit more professional.

"ACT rugby needs to have seven teams in the competition. I thought I could help out and the program needs to move forward."

Super Rugby championship-winning captain and World Cup-winner Finegan has been in charge of the Eagles for the past three seasons.

But Finegan has decided to step back from the intense first-grade hands-on workload to focus on developing players throughout the club.

"I'll still have a heavy involvement but will develop and increase the depth of the coaching skills at Gungahlin," Finegan said.

"It's a fresh set of eyes coming into the program and trying to enhance the program. I'll still be involved, it will just be a different role."