WHICH coach is going into the 2019 season with the most heat on them? And what do they need to get a pass mark and/or keep their job at season's end?

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

18. Adam Simpson – West Coast

Pass mark: Top four

Started at the Eagles: 2014. Contract: 2022

Record: 76 wins, 41 losses. Finals: Seven wins and three losses (one premiership from two Grand Finals).



We say: Could miss the finals and all would be excused after last year's against-the-odds triumph. But try telling that to Nic Naitanui, Brad Sheppard and Andrew Gaff. Signed a new deal on eve of last year's finals series that will see him through to the transition of the next exciting batch of youngsters.

In a snapshot: Still has the keys to the city.

17. Alastair Clarkson – Hawthorn

Pass mark: Finals

Started at the Hawks: 2005. Contract: 2022

Record: 189 losses, 112 losses. Finals: 16 wins and 10 losses (four premierships from five Grand Finals).



We say: Steering the Hawks to the finals again without his best player Tom Mitchell would only grow Clarkson's legend at Waverley Park. A thin midfield only gets thinner and he won't get to fully realise Chad Wingard and Tom Scully's potential until mid-season. But you still back him to make something of the new rules that others haven't thought of.

In a snapshot: One more flag to 2022 would be cream on top, but it doesn't need to be 2019.

16. Damien Hardwick – Richmond

Pass mark: Grand Final

Started at the Tigers: 2010. Contract: 2021

Record: 107 wins, 89 losses. Finals: 4 wins and 4 losses (one premiership from one Grand Final).



We say: Only ranked above Clarkson and Simpson because, if he misses this year, one flag in three seasons of a prime window would be an underachievement. The Tigers are still only ranked 10th for list age in the competition, proving that Hardwick's remaining three years of his contract could be anything.

In a snapshot: Two out of three would be better than not bad.

15. Stuart Dew – Gold Coast

Pass mark: Avoid wooden spoon.

Started at the Suns: 2018. Contract: 2020

Record: 4 wins, 18 losses. Finals: Nil.



We say: Has a free-hit for 12 more months to see what he can do with this list. Losing both co-captains from a side that won four games in his first season, Dew has no great expectation attached to him in 2019. As long as there's some sign of improvement and increased hope from last year's freefall then he should earn a new deal.

In a snapshot: The last year of Dew's free ride.

14. Nathan Buckley – Collingwood

Pass mark: Grand Final

Started at the Magpies: 2012. Contract: 2021

Record: 87 wins, 74 losses. Finals: Three wins and five losses (0 premierships from one Grand Final).



We say: The pressure into 2019 is poles apart from 12 months ago. This time around the only concern will be making the most of a beefed-up list that adds Darcy Moore, Jamie Elliott and Dayne Beams to last year's Grand Final side. With the benefit of a new two-year extension, Buckley has everything at his disposal for premiership success this year.

In a snapshot: No Grand Final would be a waste.

13. Simon Goodwin – Melbourne

Pass mark: Grand Final

Started at the Demons: 2017. Contract: 2022

Record: 28 wins, 20 losses. Finals: Two wins and one loss (0 premierships and 0 Grand Finals).



We say: Four years to run on a brand-new contract but Goodwin's time is now. Wiped off the park in last year's preliminary final, the Demons' average age was a tick under two years younger than the Eagles that day. Outside of Nathan Jones, seven of last year's best and fairest top eight will be 22-28 years old this season. Cherry ripe.

In a snapshot: Must not go backwards from last year's rise.

12. Chris Fagan – Brisbane

Pass mark: 8-10 wins

Started at the Lions: 2017. Contract: 2021.

Record: 10 wins, 34 losses. Finals: Nil.

We say: Made big strides last year but only saluted for five wins. That needs to jump to 8-10 this year to solidify this young list and give them hope that the club is tracking in the right direction. Fagan was rewarded with a deal for three more years, but if the Lions are not pushing for the flag by the end of that tenure, then it's been a failure.

In a snapshot: Time on his side… for 12 more months.

11. John Longmire – Sydney

Pass mark: Second week of finals.

Started at the Swans: 2011. Contract: 2020

Record: 121 wins, 53 losses. Finals: 10 wins and 10 losses (one premiership from three Grand Finals).



We say: The Swans have steadily declined since making the Grand Final in 2016 but still managed to win 14 games last year while losing six at home. However, with the nucleus of Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack, Lance Franklin, Nick Smith, Heath Grundy and Josh Kennedy all 31 or older at season's end, it's imperative the next batch shows improvement.

In a snapshot: 9/9 finals campaigns has Horse safe.

10. Brad Scott – North Melbourne

Pass mark: 12-13 wins.

Started at the Roos: 2010. Contract: 2020.

Record: 99 wins, 94 losses. Finals: Four wins and four losses (0 premierships and 0 Grand Finals).



We say: Unless the Roos completely fall off the cliff, Scott's job is safe for now. No one expected them to contend for finals last year but, because they did, North has to be rated in that bracket again. Now into his 10th year, Scott has rebuilt the list twice. Recruiting a 25-year-old and two 28-year-olds last off-season suggests he believes they're around the mark.

In a snapshot: Finals would be a tick.

9. Don Pyke – Adelaide

Pass mark: Second week of finals

Started at the Crows: 2016. Contract: 2020 – with clauses for this season

Record: 46 wins, 24 losses. Finals: 3 wins and 2 losses (0 premierships from one Grand Final).



We say: Many believe the Crows will walk back into the finals but doing it is another thing. The youth is exciting, but the Crows still sit in the top three in the competition for list age and total games played. So close to the flag two seasons ago, come this September the Crows will have eight players 29 or older in their best 22. Pyke doesn't have a great deal of time on his hands with this crop.

In a snapshot: The clock is ticking for Eddie, Rory and Tex.

8. Chris Scott – Geelong

Pass mark: Second week of finals

Started at the Cats: 2011. Contract: 2022.

Record: 125 wins, 48 losses. Finals: Six wins and nine losses (one premiership from one Grand Final).



We say: Does the 72 per cent home and away record mean anything when the Cats are 3-9 in finals since 2011? Patrick Dangerfield (29 this year) said on day one of pre-season his time is ticking on a flag and this could well be his last crack alongside Gary Ablett (35), Harry Taylor (32), Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins (both 31). The freshly inked four-year extension gives Scott time to bring through the next wave, but the current senior group is restless for silverware.

In a snapshot: In desperate need of a finals win.

7. Luke Beveridge – Western Bulldogs

Pass mark: 10-12 wins

Started at the Bulldogs: 2015. Contract: 2020

Record: 52 wins, 41 losses. Finals: Four wins and one loss (one premiership from one Grand Final).



We say: Will probably have a statue at Whitten Oval one day but his side just hasn't fired a shot in recent times. If missing finals jumps from two to three years, and the Dogs are nowhere near the eight, then questions will start to be asked. Just needs to find a way for his team to start hitting the scoreboard again.

In a snapshot: Can't go backwards.

6. Leon Cameron – GWS Giants

Pass mark: Second week of finals

Started at the Giants: 2014. Contract: 2020

Record: 63 wins, 51 losses. Finals: Three wins and four losses (0 premierships and 0 Grand Finals).



We say: This year marks the third season since Cameron first steered the Giants to the finals and still there's no Grand Final appearances to show for it. Back then Phil Davis and Callan Ward were 26 and now at 29, they're racing the clock for success. Cameron will want to show he's on track for another strong finish before an extension beyond 2020 is considered.

In a snapshot: Four years and no progression with this list would be tough to swallow.

5. John Worsfold – Essendon

Pass mark: Finals

Started at the Bombers: 2016. Contract: 2020

Record: 27 wins, 39 losses. Finals: 0 wins and one loss (0 premierships and 0 Grand Finals).



We say: Last year Mark Neeld was made the scapegoat for a 2-6 start to the season, now it's Worsfold's time to own the season. Bombers fans are getting restless as the 15-year run without a finals win continues and with the addition of Dylan Shiel there are no excuses. The extension to 2020 that Worsfold signed last March was questioned at the time; if the Bombers don't make September again, the criticism will go into overdrive.

In a snapshot: Finals or it's Tullamarine turmoil.

4. Ken Hinkley – Port Adelaide

Pass mark: Finals

Started at the Power: 2013. Contract: 2021

Record: 77 wins, 60 losses. Finals: Three wins and three losses (0 premierships and 0 Grand Finals).



We say: President David Koch said he was backing Hinkley after last year's capitulation to miss finals, but if they fall short again this year it might be a different state of affairs. While there's been an injection of youth for this season, it was only 12 months ago the Power recruited Tom Rockliff, Steve Motlop and Jack Watts to contend for a flag.

In a snapshot: Must be seen in September.

3. Brendon Bolton – Carlton

Pass mark: Six wins

Started at the Blues: 2016. Contract: Undisclosed

Record: 15 wins, 51 losses. Finals: Nil.



We say: Fourth year at the helm and it's time for action. The Blues showed their hand at last year's draft by trading for the now and another two-win season won't be tolerated. While finals are a big ask, the green shoots need to progress to resemble a stem. With another year of midfield development into young stars and the highly paid Mitch McGovern alongside Charlie Curnow, Carlton's record number of members are demanding improvement.

In a snapshot: Handing a top-two pick to the Crows will be a recipe for disaster.

2. Ross Lyon – Fremantle

Pass mark: Within two games of finals

Started at the Dockers: 2012. Contract: 2020

Record: 83 wins, 70 losses. Finals: Four wins and five losses (0 premierships from one Grand Final).



We say: Last year the Dockers finished five games adrift of the top eight as their crosstown rivals won it all. If that margin isn't cut to within two this year, then it'll be time for Ross to answer serious questions from the board – even with 2020 to run on his contract. After throwing the kitchen sink at Jesse Hogan, the Dockers need a reward that doesn't appear immediately forthcoming.

In a snapshot: Time to rewire that offensive game plan.

1. Alan Richardson – St Kilda

Pass mark: 8-10 wins

Started at the Saints: 2014. Contract: 2020

Record: 37 wins, 72 losses. Finals: Nil.



We say: After 12 and 11-win seasons in 2016 and 2017, another four-win season like last year won't be tolerated. Despite a contract for 44 more matches, the club has exit clauses at its disposal for this September. New president Andrew Bassat's business history suggests he won't be sitting on his hands.

In a snapshot: No improvement and it's pack your bags, Richo.