The coach pressure gauge for 2020: Who is under the most heat?

NOT even the five new full-time coaches are exempt from the pressure cooker of the box on game day.

But where do they rank compared to their contemporaries going into 2020?

AFL.com.au reporter Mitch Cleary puts the microscope on your club's boss and ranks them from 18-1 on a pressure gauge.

>> Who's feeling the heat? Have your say in the poll at the bottom of the page

18. Damien Hardwick – Richmond

Pass mark: Finals

Started at the Tigers: 2010. Contract: 2021

Record: 130 wins, 99 losses. Finals: 7 wins and 4 losses (two premierships from two Grand Finals).

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We say: Would have to see the Tigers fall off a cliff for there to be questions asked. With at least 20 of last year's premiership 22 available to pick from in round one, plus full pre-seasons for Tom Lynch and Marlion Pickett, the only concern is about building a dynasty. Focus will quickly switch to extending the contract that expires next season.

In a snapshot: They're building a statue regardless.

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Copy link Link copied to clipboard The hardest road to Grand Final glory: Pickett's triumph Follow Marlion Pickett's amazing story to the AFL and the MCG's September stage

17. John Worsfold – Essendon

Pass mark: Game style improves aesthetically

Started at the Bombers: 2016. Contract: 2020.

Record: 39 wins, 51 losses. Finals: 0 wins and two losses (no Grand Finals).

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We say: What pressure? Now that the keys have been handed over to Ben Rutten, Worsfold can watch on and focus on developing the next wave of Bombers coaches. All of the chat out of Essendon has been about the gameplan resting with Rutten and new assistant Blake Caracella.

In a snapshot: Feet up and watch the 'Truck' do the driving.

What lies in store for Essendon coach John Worsfold in his final season at the club?. Picture: AFL Photos

16. Justin Longmuir – Fremantle

Pass mark: Avoid bottoming out

Started at the Dockers: Debut season. Contract: 2022

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Copy link Link copied to clipboard Longmuir: 'As a player, I didn't get things easy' In this excerpt from the In the Game podcast, new Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir tells Damian Barrett about why his time as a player has set him up so well to be a coach

We say: No Joel Hamling, Alex Pearce, David Mundy or Jesse Hogan to start the season, plus the first-year coach is regenerating a team without Bradley Hill and Ed Langdon. The membership base, which dropped off last year, just needs to be sold a vision that the club is on the rise in the post-Ross Lyon era. Want to see improvement from Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra, Brennan Cox and Griffin Logue.

In a snapshot: Give the fans a glimmer of hope.

15. Matthew Nicks – Adelaide

Pass mark: Avoid bottoming out

Started at the Crows: Debut season. Contract: 2022

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks in action during the Marsh Community Series. Picture: AFL Photos

We say: While the pressure of expectation has been removed at West Lakes for 2020, Nicks sits above Longmuir because he has a bit more on his plate. Firstly, to convince free agent Brad Crouch that the club is in the right direction, get games into the kids and also to prove to elder statesmen Rory Sloane (30), Tom Lynch (29), Bryce Gibbs (30) and Taylor Walker (30) they can contend before their time is up.

In a snapshot: Let's see the kids.

14. John Longmire – Sydney



Pass mark: Avoid the bottom four

Started at the Swans: 2011. Contract: 2023

Record: 139 wins, 77 losses. Finals: 10 wins and 10 losses (one premiership from three Grand Finals).

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We say: Handed a contract extension last year, Longmire has four years to see the Swans' rebuild through. Now that Heath Grundy, Kieren Jack, Nick Smith and Jarrad McVeigh have retired, it's time to see generation next. Finals in nine of his 10 years at the helm helps as well.

In a snapshot: Even a wooden spoon isn't doom and gloom.

Sydney coach John Longmire addresses his players during the Marsh Community Series. Picture: AFL Photos

13. Rhyce Shaw – North Melbourne

Pass mark: Avoid bottom four

Started at the Roos: 2019 (interim). Contract: 2022.

Record: 7 wins, 5 losses. Finals: Nil.

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We say: Placed ahead of Longmuir and Nicks because of the decisions the club made around the list last year and the fact he's had 12 more weeks in the seat. Had the chance to trade Shaun Higgins and let Todd Goldstein walk via free agency but dug the heels in. That must equate to a competitive team in 2020.

In a snapshot: Need to see the second- and third-tier players improve.

Rhyce Shaw has some tough decisions for round one. Picture: Getty Images

12. Alastair Clarkson – Hawthorn

Pass mark: Finals

Started at the Hawks: 2005. Contract: 2022

Record: 216 wins, 133 losses. Finals: 16 wins and 10 losses (four premierships from five Grand Finals).

We say: Desperately wants another piece of silverware inside the next three years of his contract. While his record speaks for itself, Clarkson slowly moves up the rankings this year given the age demographic of the list. Jon Patton and Sam Frost arrive, Tom Scully will be properly fit and Tom Mitchell returns from a broken leg.

In a snapshot: Can't have back-to-back finals misses.

Can Alastair Clarkson guide the Hawks back to contention in 2020? Picture: AFL Photos

11. Adam Simpson – West Coast



Pass mark: Preliminary final

Started at the Eagles: 2014. Contract: 2022

Record: 92 wins, 49 losses. Finals: 7 wins and 4 losses (one premiership from two Grand Finals).

We say: Yes, he won the club its fourth premiership only two seasons ago. But the list is primed for another tilt and the hurt of missing last year's top four and subsequent semi-final loss remains. Behind Richmond, the Eagles have the best bookends in the competition and it's time to make the most of the jam-packed midfield.

In a snapshot: Go backwards and the fans will be restless.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson with his new recruit Tim Kelly. Picture: AFL Photos

10. Brett Ratten – St Kilda

Pass mark: Still a finals chance with a fortnight to go

Started at the Saints: 2019 (interim). Contract: 2022.

Record: 3 wins, 3 losses. Finals: Nil.

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Copy link Link copied to clipboard They could have picked Vossy: Why Ratts says he's lucky In this excerpt from the In The Game podcast, St Kilda coach Brett Ratten explains why he's grateful to receive a second chance

We say: Ranked ahead of three of the first-year coaches because of the Saints' decisions in October last year. Paddy Ryder, Bradley Hill, Dan Butler, Zak Jones and Dougal Howard are in the door and they're not planning a September holiday. They've recruited for the now and the hungry supporter group want instant results.

In a snapshot: Improvement or a world of pain for the future.

9. David Teague – Carlton

Pass mark: Still a finals chance with a month to go

Started at the Blues: 2019 (interim). Contract: 2022.

Record: 6 wins, 5 losses. Finals: Nil.

We say: Can't be afforded the same luxury of the other first-time coaches in having three years to build a team that will contend for finals. Given the status of the list, his time is now. The youngsters have shown promising signs, but can they take the next step? And first-choice players Matthew Kreuzer (30), Kade Simpson, (35), Marc Murphy (32) and Ed Curnow (30) don't have long left.

In a snapshot: No club needs a big first half of the year more than Teague's Blues.

Blues coach David Teague looks on during a pre-season clash with Brisbane. Picture: AFL Photos

8. Chris Fagan – Brisbane

Pass mark: Second week of finals

Started at the Lions: 2017. Contract: 2021.

Record: 26 wins, 42 losses. Finals: 0 wins and 2 losses (no Grand Finals).

We say: Last year was one out of the box, but it doesn't mean the Lions aren't expecting the same this year. The core group of youngsters Hugh McCluggage, Harris Andrews, Jarrod Berry, Eric Hipwood, Cam Rayner and Alex Witherden are now all a year older and aware of what September is about. Didn't have a single surgery after last year's straight-sets finals exit.

In a snapshot: Can't do 'A Melbourne'.

Chris Fagan shares a laugh with captain Dayne Zorko during the Lions' team photo shoot. Picture: AFL Photos

7. Stuart Dew – Gold Coast

Pass mark: Double last year's three wins

Started at the Suns: 2018. Contract: 2020

Record: 7 wins, 37 losses. Finals: Nil.

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew. Picture: AFL Photos

We say: After two years of a free ride, this is the year the Suns will demand some tangible improvement in the win column. With an abundance of first-round picks, 2020 should be the year the Suns start climbing up the ladder. The imminent contract extension shouldn't blind the need for a big jump this season.

In a snapshot: Must improve on last year.

6. Luke Beveridge – Western Bulldogs

Pass mark: Second week of finals.

Started at the Bulldogs: 2015. Contract: 2023

Record: 64 wins, 52 losses. Finals: Four wins and two losses (one premiership from one Grand Final).



We say: The 2016 premiership was ahead of its time given the age demographic of that group. But now the core group of youngsters are men. A strong finish to make the finals last year, but this team is capable of much more. Bringing in Alex Keath and Josh Bruce only adds to the need for a hit in 2020.

In a snapshot: Time to strike while the iron's hot.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge instructs his side during a Marsh Community Series game. Picture: AFL Photos

5. Leon Cameron – GWS Giants

Pass mark: Grand Final.

Started at the Giants: 2014. Contract: 2020

Record: 79 wins, 61 losses. Finals: Six wins and five losses (0 premierships from 1 Grand Final).



We say: It's not the 'lose your job type' of pressure, but it's the pressure that presents when your team is right in the hitting zone for a flag. With Stephen Coniglio, Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly all re-signed, the Giants won't get many better chances than this. Cameron has previously navigated his way into finals with a stack of injuries; what can happen with a healthy list? On the verge of signing a fresh extension.

In a snapshot: Time to show why the guns re-signed.

Can Leon Cameron and the Giants go one step further in 2020? Picture: AFL Photos

4. Nathan Buckley – Collingwood

Pass mark: Grand Final.

Started at the Magpies: 2012. Contract: 2021

Record: 103 wins, 82 losses. Finals: Four wins and six losses (0 premierships from one Grand Final).

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Copy link Link copied to clipboard WATCH: The word Buckley regrets using In this excerpt from the In the Game podcast, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley discusses comments he made following the preliminary final loss with Damian Barrett

We say: Buckley did all he could to put the Pies in a winning position in the 2018 decider and could only watch on as an undermanned GWS beat his side up around the stoppages in last year's preliminary final. But going through this era without a flag while Scott Pendlebury (32) and Steele Sidebottom (29) are in their prime would be a waste. The last three flag sides have carried an average age of 25-26. The Pies sit right in that window this season.

In a snapshot: Won't get many better chances than 2020.

3. Chris Scott – Geelong

Pass mark: Grand Final.

Started at the Cats: 2011. Contract: 2022.

Record: 148 wins, 65 losses. Finals: Seven wins and 11 losses (one premiership from one Grand Final).

We say: Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins turn 32 this year, Gary Ablett and Harry Taylor are going for one more flag and Jack Steven and Josh Jenkins have arrived. While the Cats will talk about the abundance of youngsters, time is ticking for the top-end guns. The Cats consistently put themselves in the hunt, but Scott is still yet to deliver a Grand Final berth since 2011.

In a snapshot: If it's not this year then when is it?

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Copy link Link copied to clipboard How long does it take to get over a prelim loss? In this excerpt from the In the Game podcast, Geelong coach Chris Scott tells Damian Barrett why he's 'not a big believer that you can make amends for lost opportunity'

2. Simon Goodwin – Melbourne

Pass mark: Finals

Started at the Demons: 2017. Contract: 2022

Record: 33 wins, 36 losses. Finals: Two wins and one loss (no Grand Finals).

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Copy link Link copied to clipboard Simon Goodwin: Who am I, what do I stand for? In this excerpt from the In the Game podcast, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin tells Damian Barrett about his summer of self-reflection



We say: Nothing went right last year, but the contract extension on the eve of the season masked Goodwin's pressure. That goes out the window now and the intensity will be red-hot in the first six weeks. The recruitment of Ed Langdon and Adam Tomlinson shows the Demons think they're ready. Plus, they won't be afforded the same luxury of two first-round picks at the end of 2020 with North Melbourne holding the Dees' first selection come November. Goodwin has rocketed up from a ranking of 13 at the same stage last year.

In a snapshot: Finals or tension rises.

1. Ken Hinkley – Port Adelaide



Pass mark: Finals.

Started at the Power: 2014. Contract: 2021

Record: 88 wins, 71 losses. Finals: Three wins and three losses (no Grand Finals).

We say: This is self-inflicted. Has stated publicly he has a trigger clause for next season that relies on playing finals this year. And chairman David Koch recently confirmed it's finals or bust. It's for good reason – the Power haven't played a final since 2017, nor won one since 2014. The chat of chasing a flag this year is all well and good. Now it's time to see it in action.

In a snapshot: Make September or pack your bags.