Voting for AFL Coach of the Year is better but still not perfect, writes Mark Robinson

THERE are four strong candidates for coach of the year but the problem is winning the premiership won’t matter, writes MARK ROBINSON. VOTE: Who do you think will win?

Luke Beveridge was last year’s coach of the year. Picture: Michael Klein

LUKE Beveridge was last year embarrassed to win the AFL Coach of the Year.

Considered among its constituents as a prestigious award, Beveridge’s Bulldogs finished eighth, while his great mate Alastair Clarkson steered his team to a third consecutive premiership.

It’s difficult for the rest of us to consider the award prestigious when the award doesn’t recognise greatness.

In fact, Clarkson didn’t win the award in any of his premiership seasons.

In 2013, Port Adelaide’s Ken Hinkley won the award. In 2014, it was Sydney’s John Longmire. And Beveridge last year.

If history was to repeat itself, Clarkson should be favourite to win it this year because his team did not win the flag because, clearly, winning the premiership is not in your best interests.

Perhaps Clarkson’s greatest coaching triumph was 2008, when his Hawks knocked over Geelong in a boilover, and he still didn’t win it.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has won four premierships but not a coach of the year award. Picture: AAP

Even Mark Thompson, who did win it, would agree the Allan Jeans Medal was in the wrong hands that year.

Thankfully, the AFL Coaches Association has changed its voting procedure.

Previously, the award was voted on after the home-and-away season.

This year, 180 members of the AFLCA, which includes senior assistant and development coaches, will vote after the two preliminary finals this weekend.

It’s better, but still not perfect.

Either Leon Cameron or Beveridge will play off in the Grand Final and, on the other side, either Chris Scott or John Longmire.

Two of them, of course, will be the strong candidates.

All four make strong candidates.

Cameron will have his doubters because the argument against him will be he was handed a Rolls Royce and all he had to do was steer.

That argument undersells Cameron. He took a team which finished 11th last year and if they win this week, into a GF.

They play with a bundle of first-round draft picks, but they also play with spirit and a selflessness that’s not always easy to coach into elite young talent.

Coaching talent and getting the best out of that talent are separate stories.

Beveridge has been confronted by injury after injury and probably would be the people’s choice if they voted.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has been able to get the best out of his players. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Leon Cameron has lifted the Giants from 11th last year to a preliminary final. Picture: Getty Images

He has a manner that cuts through with fans, never mind his ability to have his team play consistent, hard-edged footy.

Scott’s rise with the Cats is equal to that of Cameron’s and the Giants. They finished 10th last year and are into the prelim.

That’s also phenomenal, but he too will have people arguing he was able to recruit the best player in the game in Patrick Dangerfield. He also has rebuilt this team and rebuilt confidence.

Longmire played seven debutants on the way to finishing on top of the ladder. That’s SEVEN.

If they win this week and the next, it will be his greatest coaching performance, above the 2012 flag.

Chris Scott has rebuilt the Cats. Picture: Colleen Petch

John Longmire’s Swans finished on top of the ladder. Picture: Getty Images

The leanings are with the winners. If it’s say Cameron v Scott, then who wins? What about Beveridge v Scott or v Longmire? Tough call.

AFLCA boss Mark Brayshaw said the votes would be cast next Sunday and Monday and announced at the AFLCA awards night held later that week.

“It’s a real prestigious award, but we decided to give it a bit more cred by allowing the first three rounds of the finals to come and go,” Brayshaw said.

The problem remains, though, that the loser of the GF might be the coach of the year and the winner of the GF might’ve coached his socks off on the game’s biggest day and won’t be recognised by his own association.

Originally published as Voting for AFL Coach of the Year is better but still not perfect, writes Mark Robinson