Mick Malthouse: Premiership coach analyses every AFL coach based on their performance in 2025 season so far

Ranking coaches is always a difficult task because there is no equality in coaching. If every one of the 18 AFL coaches had equal team lists and club facilities and finances and travel requirements, then over the course of the season you could judge the coach and their fitness staff based on results to see if there was improvement or no improvement. Then you could rank them fairly. As it is, we are halfway through the year and it’s easy to say Craig McRae is the coaches’ coach as he has the best team, the best depth, and in the last two years has won a premiership. The Magpies currently sit on top, a game and half above Brisbane. The Pies dropped out of the eight last year, following their premiership, and there was little fuss made because you have a certain period of critical resistance after a premiership. Craig has Collingwood back playing September-type football every week, and should be commended. Chris Fagan’s Lions are in second spot after winning the premiership from fifth spot last year. The Brisbane players clearly love their coach, and his game plan suits their strengths. Chris Scott has had a wonderful football team since he started at Geelong in 2011, and he has produced the goods. Multiple finals appearances and two premierships, Cats’ supporters couldn’t ask for more. He defends his players to the hilt in the media which gives them inner security. The leeway for critical analysis is varied for this next group of premiership coaches. Damien Hardwick promised to take Gold Coast to its first finals campaign and failed on that pledge last year. But the Suns are currently on the verge of a top eight finish, so that’s improvement. Hardwick’s manic game style that suited Richmond, didn’t really suit Gold Coast. He has had to make a shift to accommodate a more conservative team. I am a massive supporter of Luke Beveridge and what he has been able to achieve at the Bulldogs with a shallower list and lesser facilities than the bigger clubs. He has his detractors because the Dogs currently sit outside the eight and have dropped games they are expected to win, but I think he is let down by his players at times. His game style is fantastic and the introduction of Ed Richards in the middle has been a game changer and improved the dynamics of the midfield, taking pressure off Marcus Bontempelli. But what is Aaron Naughton doing? He teases but doesn’t produce enough. Simon Goodwin is under pressure because of internal fluctuations of discipline and attitude and off-field issues with his players, more so than on-field results. The Demons are in alright form, but their current standing of 14th continues the dramatic fall away from what seemed to be a premiership window after 2021. Alastair Clarkson has not had or been able to attract enough good players to North Melbourne for big improvement. He had the Midas touch at Hawthorn, but he is clearly finding out that the Hawks team he coached compared to this North team is chalk and cheese, and it’s not working for him. Changing clubs means you need to adjust yourself and your game plan to suit the new group. Matthew Nicks has Adelaide in a front row seat. He’s made some changes this year, so the Crows have gone from being a free-running team to a very good defensive side. If Adelaide can take some more big scalps, not only will they make the eight and cause a stir in September, but Matthew will cement his position going forward. Hawthorn is a clone of Sam Mitchell’s mannerisms – daring, in your face, and arrogant. His game plan is structured around outstanding ball use and expression. The jury is still out for me where Mitchell fits. He was demoted from captain of a premiership side as a player, which makes me wonder how he will respond as a coach with a not too favourable season. Justin Longmuir is in a similar position as Fremantle currently makes a real play for the eight. Increasing the speed on the ball this year is paying dividends. You can’t compete against the best sides unless you put speed on the ball, and defend well, which they are doing better this season. Justin has a serious disposition and always looks worried. I think the external pressure is felt by him more than any other coach. He coaches tactically very well, but he needs his better players on the field more often for consistent results. Has Adam Kingsley got the best out of GWS? We are seeing an indifferent week-to-week performance from the Giants. On paper they are a top four team, but they have failed to play anything like a top-four contender for most of this year. The ball overuse is denying Jesse Hogan the opportunity to be the leading goal kicker. Is that the coach, or the team? Ross Lyon promised St Kilda supporters so much. He has been handicapped in many respects by key injury problems, notably to Max King who can’t seem to get on the field. The latest Saints’ crowd numbers are an enormous worry. Is it because of the win-loss record or the way they play? The method is trench warfare football and not very pretty, but when consistently effective it gets wins. Michael Voss seems to cop it every other week. Are the expectations any greater at Carlton than St Kilda? Having been at Carlton myself, I know that nothing less than a top-four finish and a potential premiership is acceptable. Michael just cannot seem to get his two big forwards — Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay — playing together, and they are the icing on his cake. He gets stretched tactically from time to time, but most coaches do when they don’t have the weapons. Brad Scott has done a magnificent job at Essendon given the depth of injuries. I for one am looking forward to the Bombers having a full list of players and seeing where Brad can take them. Dean Cox can’t be rated until he has a full season under his belt at Sydney. Coaching transitions are often rough, as Sydney’s season is proving. Adem Yze is in a similar boat at Richmond because his list was destroyed by desertions, trades, and retirements, and he now has such a young list he needs time to develop them. Andrew McQualter has had everything thrown at him in his first season at the Eagles. Off-field drama, internal fractions, and injuries. It’s hard to compete against the best when some of your better players — Jake Waterman, Jeremy McGovern, and Elliot Yeo — are not on the field. But Andrew is finding his feet and it’s a steep learning curve. His demeanour is excellent, and his game plan is sound, so it won’t be long before the Eagles are closing out those close games which will give him and his team confidence instead of doubt. There’s no right way or wrong way of coaching. You do your best with what you have. The coach with the most wins at the end of the season gets all the accolades, but improvement is the key indicator and the one hope for all coaches. Ken Hinkley has been excluded as he will be stepping down as Port Adelaide coach at season’s end.