The 2018 AFL season has come and gone, and in a twist ending every single senior coach managed to make it through the year without getting sacked.
It’s the first time in a long time we’ve seen this level of stability across the league, and with this in mind, plenty of questions are being asked of many of the league’s biggest names.
With so much to keep track of heading towards the new year, let’s take a look at the league’s most experienced leaders and how they compare.
1. Alastair Clarkson, Hawthorn
Debut season: 2005
Games coached: 329
Won/Lost/Drawn: 205/122/2
Premierships: 4 (2015, 2014, 2013, 2008)
Contracted until: 2019, in talks for a three year extension until 2022
(Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
A man who needs no introduction in the AFL community, he’s the longest-serving senior coach in the game and also the most successful. Clarkson has the job for as long as he wants it.
2. Ross Lyon, Fremantle and formerly St Kilda
Debut season: 2007
Games coached: 284
Won/Lost/Drawn: 163/116/5
Premierships: 0
Contracted until: 2020
The second-most experienced senior coach at the top level, Lyon has seen a little bit of just about everything. His real strength comes from his tenure at multiple clubs. While many coaches at the top level have served as assistants at multiple teams, only one has served as a senior coach at two.
But if you’re a wagering man, I would suggest gambling on Ross Lyon to be the next senior coach to lose his job.
Lyon has taken two clubs to grand finals but has never won a premiership. Fremantle have been wallowing towards the bottom of the ladder for multiple seasons, and despite possibly inducing Melbourne’s Jesse Hogan as one big positive, they’re also losing quality players.
Lachie Neale departing the club for Brisbane is a huge indictment on the direction Fremantle is heading in. The prospects of another season with an injured Nat Fyfe should terrify Dockers fans.
Fremantle finished this season in 14th. Brisbane finished in 15th. Fremantle lost a staggering nine games by more than 50 points this season. Brisbane lost only two by the same margin.
Unless Lyon has a few cards hidden up his sleeve the wider AFL community isn’t privy too, it looks like it might be curtains for Ross at some point soon.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
3. Damien Hardwick, Richmond
Debut season: 2010
Games coached: 208
Won/Lost/Drawn: 113/93/2
Premierships: 2017
Contracted until: 2021
It’s hard to believe Richmond’s Damien Hardwick is even cracking the top ten on this list, let alone the top three. How time flies.
After guiding Richmond to premiership success after more than three decades in the wilderness, Hardwick’s job at one end of Punt Road is safe for many years to come.
Hardwick did what a long, long line of coaches have failed to do, and as a consequence the Tigers will reward him with whatever he demands for plenty of time to come.
Richmond may have missed out on going back-to-back this year after a heartbreaking preliminary final defeat at the hands of Collingwood, but they did win the minor premiership.
Add former Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch to the current line-up and Hardwick appears to be in as a good a stead as anyone to record a second premiership soon.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
And for those out there curious as to how each coach is tracking, let’s wrap up by taking a look at every coach and when they first got started.
| Coach | Club | Debut Season |
| Stuart Dew | Gold Coast | 2017 |
| Simon Goodwin | Melbourne | 2017 |
| Chris Fagan | Brisbane | 2017 |
| Don Pyke | Adelaide | 2016 |
| Brendon Bolton | Carlton | 2016 |
| John Worsfold | Essendon | 2016 |
| Luke Beveridge | Western Bulldogs | 2015 |
| Alan Richardson | St Kilda | 2014 |
| Leon Cameron | Greater Western Sydney | 2014 |
| Adam Simpson | West Coast | 2014 |
| Ken Hinkley | Port Adelaide | 2013 |
| Nathan Buckley | Collingwood | 2012 |
| John Longmire | Sydney | 2011 |
| Chris Scott | Geelong | 2011 |
| Brad Scott | North Melbourne | 2010 |
| Damien Hardwick | Richmond | 2010 |
| Ross Lyon | St Kilda, Fremantle | 2007 |
| Alastair Clarkson | Hawthorn | 2005 |
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
I'll have to practice riding backwards as well
Mic
Guest
Better pump up that tyre Doc. Carlton will be back before you know it. Look forward to seeing you tangled up in your bagpipes.
Brad
Guest
To say Brad Scott has not been close is a bit harsh. Although they weren't likely to make GF they did lose to WC 2015 PF amd made other finals. He has the most games coached at one club without making GF (200). He has had a lot of experience retire in hos time. Harvey, Petrie, Firrito, Swallow while a few others had moved on like Hale. next two years will decide if he goes on.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Is that what they call the reverse mockers? If either St Kilda or Carlton even play finals in the next three years I will ride an unicycle around the CBD playing the bagpipes
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
In fact he leads your list and is one of two AFL players/coaches to have won premierships as a captain and coached a premiership with the same side
Simoc
Guest
With my last foray into coaching predictions I stated that Hardwick and Buckley would never be premiership coaches. Nearly 100% wrong in just two seasons since then. Now I reckon Bolton and Richardson aren't up to the job either. Now if either of those two were to ever win premierships that would be something outer worldly.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You haven't been following, have you?
DeanM
Guest
With a team year in year out packed full of alleged gun players, why does Ross continue to serve up donuts?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The list is outstanding. Great defence, a sparkling and strong midfield and a young gelling forward line now that Tabs is fit and Sunny is released back to the forwsrd line. Just outstanding young talent. Get that list back on the park and they play final...where Ross has had Freo for most of his time there.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I don't think Ross will be sacked. He will see out his current contract. Whether he gets another contract, well that will depend on whether Fremantle improve going forward? Clearly injuries have been prevalent this year, if they have an relatively good run with injuries this season and still end up in the 13-16 bracket, I would suggest Freo will be looking else where in 2021.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He also sits very high on winning percentage. Just pick your figures. Grand finals?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You would be standing in a corner with Jonboy and 13th man and no one else. He is very secure at Freo. Very happy with Ross. Sam does refer to Nat Fyfe being injured...but you can't pin that...or the other 10 to 13 injured on Ross. That stuff has nothing to do with a coach's tenure.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Who are these " multiple players" Freo is losing? Are you going the sledge and forgetting the analysis? One thing is absolutely certain. Ross won't be sacked. The youth he has brought on is outstanding and all of them have extended their contracts...all of them.
Brian
Guest
Ross sits 3rd on the most games coached without a flag list. At 284 games he would have to last quite awhile to challenge leader Rodney Eade on 377. As far as next coach to go I'd agree on Lyon, other contenders in 2019 would be Alan Richardson - a poor start to 2019 and he's done surely Brad Scott - 10th year coming up and they have not gotten close Ken Hinkley - lots of recruits but have not won a final since 2014 Don Pyke - A failed 2019 would be put down to his poor relationship with the players Brendon Bolton - can't rebuild forever
Samuel Ord
Roar Guru
Can't believe I dropped Woosha in my notes. Shocking error on my behalf. That will teach me to write sports articles while on cold and flu medicine. John Worsfold (West Coast 2002-2013 and Essendon 2016-2018) Debut season: 2002 Games coached: 348 Won/Lost/Drawn: 176/165/2 Premierships: 2006 Contracted until: 2020 Thanks mate. Shocking error.
Jakarta Fan
Roar Rookie
You need to do your research and rewrite your article. Your facts are wrong.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Yep. Of the experienced coaches, Lyon is closest to the trap door. In fact if I was a Freo member I'd be handing out the torches and pitchforks to get rid of Ross. Freo are going no-one under him with that list. Even Hogan won't guarantee finals IMHO.
Howie
Roar Pro
Worsfold has also coached 2 teams, he has more 340 games coached and a premiership as a player (2) and coach.