Shane Crawford ranks all 18 AFL coaches from top to bottom
COACHING is a “results business”. You can’t escape that. SHANE CRAWFORD gives his take on who is and who isn’t performing in season 2016. How does your coach rate?
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‘HAVE you ever thought about coaching?’
It’s a question I’ve been asked countless times over the years and my answer is always the same — no bloody chance.
It’s the toughest gig in football. You can age almost faster than a Prime Minister, and they change almost as frequently.
I’ve seen so many coaches come and go in my time; and I’ve seen them change in front of my eyes in terms of appearance, stress and a wellness point of view.
Coaching is a ‘result’s business’. You can’t escape that. So here’s my AFL coaches ladder — on expectations measured against performances — for the first half of the 2016 season.
Has Crawf got it right? Scroll down to cast your vote for coach of the year
1. Brendon Bolton (Carlton)
For the first half of last season Carlton appeared to have few structures, little evidence of a team playing for each other and without a lot of hope going forward.
Brendon Bolton has changed that in the space of nine months.
Bolts has encouraged the kids, reinvigorated the older players, and applied standards. Few believed the Blues could win six games in 22 rounds, let alone in 11. You would be forgiven for thinking this is 2018, not 2016.
STATS GOOD: Conceding 19 points less than they were last year, a massive turnaround.
STATS BAD: Averaged 76 points per game — ranked 16th.
2. Don Pyke (Adelaide)
You lose a superstar, you take over a club still mourning the tragic loss of a great mentor, and somehow you make the team better.
That’s what Don Pyke has been able to do with Adelaide.
Yes, the Crows had a great nucleus, but Pyke has been a revelation so far. I reckon they are less predictable, and still rate a sneaky flag chance.
The best forward line in the business, a strong midfield even without Dangerfield and Pyke has introduced some lesser lights at the other end of the ground.
STATS GOOD: The most prolific team in the competition, averaging 114 points per game.
STATS BAD: Gave up too many inside-50s in the first eight rounds — 60 per game, ranked No.16.
3. Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)
The Bulldogs’ defensive unit was almost ripped apart with injury in the first half of the season — but Beveridge’s team barely missed a beat.
Not many sides would have been able to cope with the loss of Bob Murphy, Jason Johannisen and Matt Suckling (for a period), and remain competitive.
That shows that the coach doesn’t care about individual names. He only cares about the collective.
The Dogs are not a one-hit wonder from last year. They are chart-toppers, and whether that happens this year, or next year, it is going to happen at some stage.
STATS GOOD: Their contested possession differential — +26.6 — is the best Champion Data has seen.
STATS BAD: The Dogs are the second best team in terms of inside 50m differential, but ranked 16th for converting those inside-50s into a score.
4. Brad Scott (North Melbourne)
The tortoise has finally become the hare. Brad Scott wanted his Kangaroos to start the season well, and they won the first nine games of the season.
Now, they have got enough credits in the bank to manage their players heading towards September.
Loved the way they responded when Scott was missing against the Tigers. That shows the Kangaroos are a well-oiled machine.’
Also love how Scotty is comfortable enough to have an opinion — and to express it — on the big issues, including giving a decent whack when required.
STATS GOOD: Has the best tackling differential and the second best pressure factor differential in the game.
STATS BAD: Has a clearance differential of -0.5 per game, the second worst of any of the top eight sides.
5. John Longmire (Sydney)
He has done a superb job to keep the Sydney dream alive, while introducing the next wave of Swans into the mix.
Most of thought they would be competitive, but the straights sets exit in 2015 had us worried whether they had the goods to chase the flag.
Longmire has made sure they not only have a chance, they are right in the mix.
Impressed by the way he worked so closely with Buddy Franklin during the star forward’s mental health struggles last year. Without him, Buddy might not be almost back to his best.
STATS GOOD: Ranked second for points differential from turnovers and third in differentials from stoppages
STATS BAD: The Swans have taken a mark from only 18 per cent of kicks into the forward zones, the second worst in the AFL.
6. Leon Cameron (Greater Western Sydney)
I’ve loved the maturity shown this year by Greater Western Sydney, and the coaching growth displayed by Leon Cameron.’
The Giants have toughed it out, and not just at Spotless Stadium. OK, they haven’t always come away with wins, but they have fought hard at hostile venues such as Adelaide Oval and Simonds Stadium.
I admire the way Leon Cameron doesn’t over complicate things, as his bullet point messages highlighted on Fox Footy showed.
They are coming. In fact, they are almost here.
STATS GOOD: Dominant stoppage team, recording the second-best clearance differential, and ranked No.1 for points scored from stoppages.
STATS BAD: Has created 23 turnovers per game in its forward half — the fewest of any top-10 side.
7. Alastair Clarkson (Hawthorn)
Clarko would be loving the fact some critics have written off the Hawks in their quest for a fourth successive premiership.
Surely, those critics should know better.
The Hawks haven’t played their best footy yet, but look out in the second half of the season.
Clarko has introduced some new faces to the group and that is good for the future. He has balanced the here and the now, with the future, and that’s why he is a genius.
STATS GOOD: Has created the most turnovers in its forward half (29 per game), scoring 40 points
STATS BAD: Recorded the second-worst contested possession of any side, winning the count in just two matches.
8. Paul Roos (Melbourne)
This might be the first time Melbourne has been in the top eight of anything for ages. But Paul Roos and the man who will replace him next year, Simon Goodwin, deserve plenty of praise.
The Demons attack more than any Roos-coached side I’ve ever seen. He has been willing to adapt and change his normal game style for the sake of the side.
There have been some poor losses, but enough of the good performances to suggest they can play finals.
Any side that has Gawn, Viney, Hogan, Vince, Watts and the promise of someone like Petracca is only going to get better.
STATS GOOD: Can you believe Melbourne is average 102 points per game this season? That’s the most a Demons’ side has averaged since 2002
STATS BAD: Has laid 10 fewer tackles per game than their opposition — ranked 17th — and a pressure factor differential of -73, ranked 18th.
9. Chris Scott (Geelong)
A bit stiff to miss the top eight, but don’t forget how hyped they were in the preseason.
Geelong has added Patrick Dangerfield, Zac Smith and Lachie Henderson into the side this year — Scott Selwood hasn’t played a game yet — so that’s why I have marked Scott’s season down a bit.
Losses to Collingwood and Carlton were a setback, but the Cats have been solid for most of the season.
They are a good side. Can they become a great one?
STATS GOOD: The best side in locking the ball into the forward hard, recording a time in forward half differential of +10:55 and an inside 50 differential of +13.9
STATS BAD: Geelong has recorded a set shot accuracy (including missed shots) of 46 per cent, ranked 16th
10. John Worsfold (Essendon)
This might surprise a few, but it shouldn’t. Yes, the Bombers have copped some hidings — Friday night was an example — but my admiration for John Worsfold has only gone up this season.
He’s missing 12 of his team’s best players, and he has had to make do with list complete with top-ups and recycled players.
They have won a game, and been competitive for quarters. But to his credit, he hasn’t flooded numbers back to protect the scoreboard. He wants his team to play the right way, which deserves a massive tick.
STATS GOOD: Recorded a pressure factor differential of +24 per game — ranked seventh
STATS BAD: Averages 59 points per game — its fewest in a season since 1919
11. Adam Simpson (West Coast)
Will the real West Coast please stand up?
This was meant to be the year the Eagles shed their unwanted flat-track bullies reputation. So far, Simmo’s boys have failed to make that progression, and that’s a concern.
They play like billionaires at home and near bankrupts away from Subiaco.
Simmo needs to solve that, and fast. Because the Grand Final, as they found out last year, is at Jolimont.
STATS GOOD: Ranked fourth for points scored from opposition turnovers.
STATS BAD: Has the fourth-worst disposals differential and the third-worst uncontested possession differential.
12. Ken Hinkley (Port Adelaide)
Not sure what to make of Port Adelaide this season, and the coach might feel the same.
Ken Hinkley has made a few changes in the last month, and they seem to have made a difference. They have gained a bit more respect with their toughness around the footy and their ball use.
He has also gone with a smaller backline, moved Jackson Trengove into the ruck, and breathed some new life into the group after a slow start.
STATS GOOD: The Power have been able to punish opposition turnovers, generating 61 points per game from turnovers, ranked second
STATS BAD: Port Adelaide is in the negative for differentials in disposals, uncontested possessions, contested possessions and clearances.
13. Alan Richardson (St Kilda)
St Kilda is still a work in development, and the coach knows that. But he has started ironing out some of the inconsistencies, particularly with some of the floggings they have had on the road.
Sure, that’s a maturity thing. But the Saints need to dig deep when rival teams have a run on.
Richo knows his team relies too much on Nick Riewoldt. It’s time for others to start sharing the load, and hopefully the coach can extract more out of the rest of the group.
STATS GOOD: The Saints have taken a mark from 24.5 per cent of kicks into the forward 50 — ranked No.1
STATS BAD: St Kilda has been outscored by 13 points per game from turnovers — ranked 13th.
14. Justin Leppitsch (Brisbane)
I didn’t expect much from Brisbane, and they have lived up to that. It’s still going to be a long and bumpy ride ahead for Justin Leppitsch.
The coach has had a lot of players leave, but hopefully that appears to be turning around. There are a few good signs, but too much of the bad mixed in with it.
The one thing I respect is that Leppa is still trying to encourage his players to take on the game and win matches.
STATS GOOD: The Lions have scored from 49.8 per cent of their inside-50s, ranked fourth.
STATS BAD: They have conceded 124 points per game, ranked 18th.
15. Nathan Buckley (Collingwood)
Strangely enough, I still think this Collingwood group isn’t too bad, but they have been way too inconsistent for me.
What’s caused that? Clearly, injuries haven’t helped, yet that can’t be the only reason.
Nathan Buckley is feeling the heat. But he still believes in what he is doing, and in those around him, so let’s hope they can salvage something out of the second half of the season.
More wins like the one against Geelong are required.
STATS GOOD: Has laid seven more tackles per game than its opposition, ranked fourth.
STATS BAD: Has generated only 25.9 points per game from turnovers created in their forward half, ranked 15th
16. Damien Hardwick (Richmond)
I got sucked into the Tigers this year, and thought they might be ready to challenge. Wrong.
They have been extremely disappointing — again — and it must be so frustrating for their coach, and army of supporters.
Damien needs to get his team to take some more risks and to invest in faster ball movement to turn their season around. Needs a miracle to make the eight, but you just never know.
STATS GOOD: The Tigers have been efficient when going inside 50, scoring 51 per cent of the time, ranked second.
STATS BAD: Richmond has recorded the fourth-worst inside-50 differential of any side, winning the count only once this season in the first 11 rounds.
17. Rodney Eade (Gold Coast)
How do you pull your hair out when you don’t have any left?
Rodney Eade must have thought the twilight of his coaching career on the Gold Coast might finally yield that elusive premiership, but they are as far away from it as ever.
Injuries are a reason, but not the only one. Is his message getting across? Who knows? The only thing I will say is that, even with Gary Ablett back, there doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel.
STATS GOOD: The Suns have recorded a set-shot accuracy of 60%, ranked third
STATS BAD: Gold Coast ranks 17th for disposal differential, and 15th for both contested and uncontested possession differential.
18. Ross Lyon (Fremantle)
Was it only three months ago that I tipped Freo to be the minor premier? Gee, time flies when you are having fun.
Ross Lyon has long been an innovator, but I reckon he turned into a follower after last year. He recruited two former Hawks as assistant coaches (David Hale and Brent Guerra) and he took on a Hawks mindset in so far as chasing a flexible side with players capable of playing in multiple positions. It didn’t work. And he has had to change again.
Sure, the loss of Sandilands, Fyfe and Harley Bennell hurt. But I reckon they have made the right call in playing the kids (unusual for Ross) and looking to plan for 2017 and beyond.
Next year they could be a bolter. Trust me on that. Ha ha!
STATS GOOD: The Dockers have won 34% of offensive one-on-one contests this season, ranked third.
STATS BAD: Fremantle ranks 17th for points scored, and ranks 16th for points scored from turnovers and stoppages.
Originally published as Shane Crawford ranks all 18 AFL coaches from top to bottom
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