The AFLCA awards are decided upon every year by the coaches themselves. One of the most intriguing is the coach of the year.
Last year Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was the coach of the year which was a mostly foreseen outcome.
Since the official AFLCA awards were presented in 2003, victorious coaches’ teams have either contested the grand final or made great strides into the top eight. Improvement and looking at the team list is crucial in determining the winner.
In some ways, the award is almost a reflection of ‘most improved team’ in the competition. So who is in the running?
Paul Roos – Melbourne
Probably the frontrunner for the award, Melbourne have been more competitive already in 2014. They now are a danger team that teams cannot rest on their laurels against. They go hard until the last siren.
Statistically, they have already had dramatic improvement on last year and have surpassed last season’s wins by one.
Their percentage is also up on last season’s at this stage. This is a result of Paul Roos’ defensive game plan, something which he became infamous for at the Swans.
Chances? High. He would be the first coach to win it with a team outside of the top eight (based on current position and expectations) and join Mark Thompson and John Worsfold as two-time winners.
Rating for coach of year prospects: 1.
Ken Hinkley – Port Adelaide
The man won it last year, but if the premiership falls the way of the Power there would be a strong case for back-to-back awards.
His team has risen from the depths of misery in 2012 to now be a premiership threat and possibly add some silverware to its lone flag.
The Power are a force to be reckoned with and regardless of home-and-away season results, will be fighting it out in September.
However, to win the award I believe Port will need to be grand finalists at least. If we have a look at the past, winners have mainly been those with significant improvement on ladder positions and often perceived competitiveness or grand finalists.
Most of their ladder improvement occurred last season, for which credit has already been given.
Chances? High. If they were to become grand finalists – which many see them as already – it would make a strong case for Hinkley. Win the premiership and it would be almost a walk in if not for Roos. Rating for coach of year prospects: 2.
Guy McKenna – Gold Coast
The Suns have markedly improved this year, with Ablett being a standout but now not the only reason for their success.
They have had their best season to date with seven wins, as opposed to last year’s eight by the end of the season.
While they have some troubling games, they will most definitely beat that. For McKenna will secure the AFLCA award, he will need his side to reach the finals as this will be the improvement he needs.
They have been competitive overall but need compete in the tougher games if not win some of those from those around themselves on the ladder.
Chance – McKenna is a prospect, but unlikely to win the award. Rating for coach of year prospects: 4.
Damien Hardwick – Richmond
I’m kidding…
Chances? The wooden spoon looms. Rating for coach of year prospects: 18.
Nathan Buckley – Collingwood
Collingwood have been travelling ok this year and if improvement continues, they could become a serious threat. Their star players have not necessarily been firing this season, they sit fourth with some players to come back into the side.
The Pies finished sixth last year, not too far off top four. Therefore, becoming grand finalists would be the criteria in order to prove a significant improvement in the side. Collingwood have great talent, but will their depth equal their depth into the finals?
Chances? The dark horse for premiership and the AFLCA Award. Rating for coach of year prospects: 3.
Overall, Paul Roos would be the leading man for the award with Ken Hinkley hot on his heels. Others are a chance but realistically, it would be a surprise if one of these two did not win it.
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