It is easy to pick a coach of the year when their team has a great list. So let’s look past the likes of Ross Lyon and John Longmire to study the coaches who don’t have a successful team.
The coaches to examine are Damien Hardwick, Guy McKenna and Ken Hinkley.
Damien Hardwick
Soon to be known as “finals resurrector” Hardwick has brought back faith to the Richmond Football Club. The ‘Tiger Army’ have united to break the membership record in 2014 due to their overwhelming progress as a football team.
Richmond have over 60,000 members.
Hardwick has set up a good path for years to come.
Some of their young guns can become a treacherous force against opposition teams in coming years. We have seen the development of Brandon Ellis this year as the Tigers climb up the ladder.
When Richmond have faded out against the top sides it’s usually because of a young list playing an experienced list. Other times it is because Richmond haven’t developed enough to play four quarters of high quality, high intensity, premiership football.
Guy McKenna
Last year McKenna’s position as Gold Coast coach was questioned as he went 15 rounds without a win.
This year McKenna is starting to prove why he was selected as Gold Coast coach. The progression from the rising Suns has been impeccable.
Gold Coast’s recruiting team takes a lot of credit as the Suns have a near perfect balance of experience and growing stars.
Under McKenna’s guidance the AFL community can see that the Gold Coast Suns are going to be premiership contenders when their first round draft picks have a lot of games under their belt.
The Gold Coast Suns have not stopped improving this year as they begin to make Metricon Stadium an intimidating place for other teams.
Ken Hinkley
Before the season started commentators weren’t expecting a new coach to have a big impact on Port.
That’s why Hinkley stands above the rest for coach of the year.
Hinkley has reinvigorated the Port Adelaide Football Club and has given his list a new look which is starting to be widely respected among other club’s supporters.
As the third youngest playing list in the league and sitting in eighth position. The Power becomes a scary thought looking into the future.
Hinkley has brought his team from being beaten by GWS (2012) to beating Sydney only a few weeks ago.
If the Power do make the eight they aren’t expected to go far in a finals campaign but supporters are already overwhelmed on how well Port are performing.
Confidence is a high at the Port Adelaide Football Club as members are already pleased with their team’s achievements this year.
The ‘F’ word is starting to be said by the Port Adelaide Football Club community.
Ken Hinkley deserves a lot of credit for the improvement of what was a “basket case” team at Alberton.
Many media outlets have published articles about how PAFC provides a blue print for other ‘cellar dweller’ clubs, these clubs had multiple chances to hire Hinkley, some coaching selection panels would now be regretting their choices.
Ken Hinkley has proved that he is the “right man” for the Port Adelaide Football Club.
Facts evidence
Guest
The worst coaches for the year are Mark Neeld, Nathan Buckley, Scott Watters and Brendan Sanderson. Nathan and Brendan are not getting through to the players at their respective clubs. The players at Adelaide and Collingwood obviously don't get along with their respective coahes and that is very obvious. On the other hand Damian Hardwick and Ken Hinkley are the two best coaches this year. Why? Well Damian Hardwick has told his players they have not been good enough and if they don't perform and make the finals, he would make sure they get dropped of the list at Richmond and a player wanting to play afl would take his place. With Ken Hinkley it is so obvious the players respect him revere him have all the time in the world for him. The Port players are taking every thing he says very seriously and treating it like gospell.
Napo
Guest
Nice one Ben, great to see their successes when these guys are up against the likes of Sheedy and Malthouse,
kick to kick
Guest
Hinkley. And it really makes you wonder why he was passed over so often for other senior roles. He took on arguably the biggest basket case in the AFL. Financial woes, poor morale, shaky membership and a very weak list. Melbourne may look worse now but as a foundation club will not be allowed to sink. Port had to be in danger of folding altogether in a few years if they had made the wrong choice. And Hinkley only seemed to get it as the last man standing. But his Geelong reputation was outstanding so why he was so far back in the queue is a mystery. I'd take issue with the comment that " It is easy to pick a coach of the year when their team has a great list". Neither Freo nor Sydney have what would be called elite lists before Lyons and Longmire took over. Sydney had a great culture and Freo neither a winning culture nor a deep list. Similarly Geelong have lost players like Ablett ,Scarlett and Ling and thrived with good list development and astute refining of thegame plan. Hawthorn has modest sprinklling of stars, but more importantly its middle weight players have been coached to play with great footskills , ball movement and tough consistency. Good head coaches have a way of making a playing group look more talented than it is.
Connor
Roar Rookie
The Coach of the Year Award goes to...MARK NEELD!...just joking. I'd probably say Ken Hinkley. If there was an award for the coach you feel most sorry for, I'd either say Neeldy or Brad/Chris Scott (whichever one coaches North).
Darren
Guest
I am not sure where you get the idea that Freo has a superior list, no key forwards and no elite midfielders. We also have had one of the worst injury runs in the league. The only reason we are in contention is that we have the best coach.
Slane
Guest
Not sure a good coach would inject his players with a substance not approved for human use...
Radelaide
Guest
I would say Longmire or Hinkley maybe the former and I'm a port fan, not Hardwick or McKenna due to having so much talent on their list's. Hird has Thompson in his corner (my opinion best coach in the comp) also I still don't like the stink around essendon how they can run out any game no matter how many injuries they get during the game and Lyon is certainly consistant just not sure he knows how to win when it really matters (look at 2010).
Lroy
Guest
Did the Swans have such a great list whe Longmuire took over?? I think hes done a better job than hes been given credit for.. it was 2005 when they last won a flag prior to him taking the reins.
Matt F
Roar Guru
True, everybody plays a role. I agree that Hinkley should be coach of the year so far. From the coaches/teams mentioned in the article, most people expected Richmond to make the finals and a fair few people picked the Suns to pick up 5-6 wins this season (obviously the Suns will probably get 7-8 which is a good sign) but nobody tipped Port to possibly make the finals. In quite a few were thinking that they were a bottom 4 possibility.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
No way Clarkson will win coach of the year. If he was going to, he should have last year. This year Hinkley will win it. Greater impact. Remember Hinkley took over a club who had just lost one of their teammates, not through injury, not through drafts but passed away. That is amazing they are in the top 8, and at the start of the year were 5-0 if not 6-0 I believe. Their team has caused upsets to multiple teams and stayed competitive throughout the year.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Now the Swans are MY TEAM but can you put a team's drafting on the senior coach or the development and support staff of that nature? It's Hinkley by a mile. Its the change and impact he's had on that club that amazes me. Who expecetd Port to finish above Port at the start of the year? Nobody except maybe Port Faithful.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Hahaha. Funny how they do that isn't it?
Australian Rules
Guest
Good call - esp considering the horror draw that Hawthorn had (playing the 2012 finalists in its first 7 games).
Peter Care
Guest
Alistair Clarkson is the coach of the year. They will win the minor premiership with ease, and likely the Premiership as well. The coaching has a lot to do with such a level of excellence.
Gecko
Guest
Scott brothers for coaching box theatrics award. Sheedy for theatrics everywhere award. Hirdy for resilience. How can a guy cop that much suspicion and innuendo and not let it affect him? Buckley a distant 2nd in this award. Ross Lyon needs more credit than this article has given him. He's taken two mediocre teams into the top four, changing their losing culture along the way. Last year we were all saying Sanderson was a marvel but his 2nd year has been average. Fantastic start for Kenny but let's wait and see 2014.
dockersfan
Guest
Hird can't possibly be considered given his management of his players during the pin cushion saga. Off field management and care of the players will surely be considered with these awards.
Australian Rules
Guest
Given the context of this year, Hird must go close. I doubt any AFL coach has ever had to carry the load that Hird has this year and to have his side top 4 after missing finals last year is a fantastic effort. That said, Hinkley has probably had a greater impact on his Football Dept and team-style generally. The fact he's a 1st year coach secures my vote.
Gordon Smith
Guest
Agree with Swans - Port have essentially a full list (Redden, season Ebert TBC) as have Essendon (Gleeson season). Injuries do play a big part - last season Adelaide had a complete list all year and this year have lost Walker, Reilly, jenkins and Riley for the year and that is reflected on their ladder position (as well as a very soft draw last year)
Franko
Guest
He went to Carine Senior High School and played at Claremont.
Jeanette Stonehouse
Guest
Yes you are correct Les knew of him at Geelong Grammar ,not cats still a great bloke.