Opinion
In the AFL, the pressure to succeed almost always lands on the shoulders of the head coaches.
Although only two coaches remained uncontracted heading into 2021, there are more than a few who’ll be facing immense pressure to make sure their club’s performance on the field improves from their 2020 seasons.
I’ve decided to take a lot at which coaches are under the most amount of pressure this year.
Nathan Buckley (Collingwood)
It’s been a disastrous off-season for Collingwood, to say the least, highlighted by the talent of players they lost during the trade period. It’s thrown more pressure on Nathan Buckley, whose contract runs out at the end of 2021.
Despite making the finals for the third year in a row and upsetting the Eagles in an elimination final in Perth, the Magpies dropped off quite a bit in form.
After losing players such as Adam Treloar, Tom Phillips and Jaidyn Stephenson for little gain, it’s hard to see the club improving in 2021, with many experts predicting the Pies will miss the finals for the first time since 2017.
Buckley is currently uncontracted and talks of any re-signing are currently on-hold as the board are in no rush to make a decision yet. Whether he is there in 2022 coaching the club will seemingly be based on the end-of-season results.
On top of all this, Collingwood has failed the escape the spotlight after the Do Better report was released, highlighting systemic racism issues at the club. Although that doesn’t link directly to Buckley and his coaching tenure at Collingwood, it still heightens the amount of media scrutiny he and everyone at the club are currently facing.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Simon Goodwin (Melbourne)
Despite still having two years remaining on his contract, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin may be heading into 2021 as the coach feeling the most pressure to secure a finals position this year. This is partly due to the expectations the club has been facing for the last two years after a prelim appearance in 2018.
Last year, the Demons improved from a disappointing 2019 campaign, but blew several key opportunities late in the season, missing the finals for a consecutive year.
The Dees will be without new recruit, Ben Brown, for the beginning of the season. Having him out on the field as soon as possible will be important for the club’s ability to create match-winning scores. Their forward line weaknesses were something that has been addressed this off-season – Brown had three consecutive seasons from 2017 to 2019 of 60 plus goals.
That type of form partnering up with a promising young Sam Weideman and Tom McDonald should make their forward line a lot more dangerous.
There’s no reason why Melbourne can’t make the top eight, therefore, if the Demons find themselves not living up to expectations, there will be plenty of media attention on Goodwin.
It’s a very important first three-week block for the Dees, who realistically should win at least two, if not the first three games of the year against the Dockers, Giants and Hawks.
Leon Cameron (Greater Western Sydney)
Another coach that is seriously under the pump but still has some safety with an extended contract. The 2019 grand finalists missed the finals all together last year. Similar to Melbourne, the Giants had plenty of opportunities late in the year to nab a top-eight spot.
A disappointing year was summed up by the fact that Cameron was forced to drop captain Stephen Coniglio after a form slump.
Despite losing former Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron, there’s enough talent still there to be a potential finals threat. However, if the wheels start to fall off early, questions are bound to be asked.
Must be – at the very least – contending for a finals position in August. Anything less and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Giants start looking and making some permanent changes.
Leon Cameron (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Alastair Clarkson (Hawthorn)
When you’ve coached a club to four premierships, it feels like there’s a hint of invincibility around you. Clarkson certainly seems to have that, even after a disappointing 2020 season campaign that had the Hawks finishing 15th, with just five wins for the year.
It now appears to be the beginning of some type of rebuild that the club is facing. They aren’t expected to make the finals, which probably eases the pressure on Clarkson.
With two years left on his contract, don’t expect Hawthorn to cut ties with the champion coach too prematurely. However, it does look like they are approaching the end of what was one of Hawthorn’s greatest coaching eras.
At the very least, it’ll be interesting to watch this play out with president Jeff Kennett also being re-elected for three more years.
David Teague (Carlton)
Potentially a little harsh, but being the coach of one of the most successful and famous AFL clubs means you’re always going to be in the spotlight.
Barring an absolute capitulation this year, Teague’s position as head coach won’t be under any immediate pressure. However, after adding both Adam Saad and Zac Williams, the Blues will be pushing to break their seven-year finals drought.
It’s a realistic pass mark as the pieces are there to break that drought and another year of experience under the belt for Patrick Cripps can only be a good thing. Other young key players such as Sam Walsh, Charlie Curnow, Zac Fisher and Harry McKay are all continuing to progress as footballers, making 2021 a pivotal year to make a statement.
It’s a tough top-eight to break into but passionate Blues fans will be expecting Teague to turn this team into a finals contender.
Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)
It’s fair to say the Bulldogs have underperformed since their drought-breaking premiership in 2016. Last year was a welcome return to the finals but at their best, the Western Bulldogs appear to be a club that can go much deeper than an elimination final exit.
Without that return to the finals, there would be a lot more scrutiny on the premiership coach than there currently is.
Again, Beveridge’s job is not in question at all this year but after adding the likes of Adam Treloar and Mitch Hannan to their list, the club will be expecting a deeper finals run.
Five years without a finals win is something Beveridge will be looking to avoid at all costs.
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