AFL Coach of the Year: The case for Michael Voss, Craig McRae and other contenders

Michael Voss seemed destined for the chopping block just over two months ago, now the numbers suggest he’s been the best coach of this season, beating Ken Hinkley and Craig McRae.

Michael Voss. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Michael Voss is leading the race for coach of the year, according to North Melbourne dual-premiership player David King

At round 13, the Blues were firmly in the bottom four with only four wins to their name. But they have won their next nine matches to assert themselves as premiership contenders.

As a result, Voss has to be in the conversation for the best coach in 2023, according to the Fox Footy analyst.

“I would probably go with Michael Voss,” King said.

“Given that they were in real trouble there halfway through the year and it didn’t look like it was going to be this sort of season.

“Now, most people would have them in the top two or three selections for winning the thing.”

Across the run, Carlton has shown they can find different ways to win. And King believes that the players are starting to replicate Voss’ style on the field.

“There’s a bit of Michael Voss about the way they play now,” he said.

“You can see the anger and the physicality and who they are. They’ve become their own team.

“So maybe this is an opportunity that is going to present itself as a very winnable season.”

David King says Michael Voss should be the Coach of the Year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Craig McRae has had Collingwood on track for a top-two finish all season. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Craig McRae will also be in the discussion after leading Collingwood to the minor premiership in just his second season.

He has built superbly on the positives they had last season to become a free-flowing attacking team that can score from anywhere on the field.

However, King believes the next month could be a true test of how great the Pies’ season has been.

“Craig McRae has done an outstanding job to get Collingwood to this point of the season, top of the table,” King said.

“Clearly dominant in the first three months of the season and then not as collected in the back half of the year but still in a great position.”

Another candidate is Adam Kingsley in just his first year as a senior coach.

The Giants have finals destiny in their own hands which is a fact not many would have believed earlier in the season.

“They were 3-7 at round 10,” King said.

“The players would have been thinking, ‘What’s he got for us, is he the man?’. At 3-7, I’m not sure you have them eating out of the palm of your hand.

“But what he’s done is provided stability. He’s set the backline up and it’s taken the world by storm.

“He’s also challenged the older players to lead, and they have. I think Toby Green is the best leader he’s been in a long time this year. Probably could be All-Australian captain.

“There’s a lot to like about what Kingsley’s done.”

Experienced coaches like Ken Hinkley at Port Adelaide and Ross Lyon in his first year back at St Kilda have also forced their way into the debate on the back of finishing in the top eight.

COACHING RECORDS

Michael Voss

W-L Record: 13-8-1*

Big improvement: Since round 12, the Blues have become much more direct in attack and between R14-23 are No. 1 for points for, points against, points from clearances and contested possession differential.

Craig McRae

W-L Record: 17-5*

Big improvement: Collingwood leads the competition for points from their defensive half in 2023.

Adam Kingsley

W-L Record: 12-10*

Big improvement: Turned into an attack-first team and are now in the top six for playing on from marks and kicks that go forward.

Ross Lyon

W-L Record: 13-9*

Big improvement: In recent weeks the Saints have continued to find new ways to score, while have been the best defensive team between rounds 19 and 23.

Ken Hinkley

W-L Record: 16-6*

Big improvement: Port is the best team in the competition for points from forward half intercepts and is No. 1 for time in forward half differential (+8:01 per game).

Originally published as AFL Coach of the Year: The case for Michael Voss, Craig McRae and other contenders