Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Magnet magicians: Cornes and King rank their top four finals coaches
SEN • September 1st, 2025 10:57 am
David King and Kane Cornes have named their top four coaches out of the eight finals teams.
The duo ranked their picks from 1 to 4, with number one being the coach they think is the best at making in-game tactical moves.
Due to how challenging finals games are, Cornes and King both expect these coaches to have all of their tactical nous tested this September.
King’s top 4 coaches in the finals
1 – Craig McRae (Collingwood)
“I think Craig McRae's got the most pressure on him this year to be the best in terms of finding a way,” King said on SEN's Fireball.
“I don't think they're coming into this finals series necessarily with the best team or the best form.
“So, it's on him, and we know he can do it. We know they've managed time in-game better than any other club in the last two or three years.
“Let's see if he can do it in the finals series. In-game he's prepared to do different things.”
2 – Chris Fagan (Brisbane)
“Chris Fagan at two after last year's final series.
“They were 25 points down against Geelong at the start of the third quarter and 44 points down against GWS 20 minutes into the third quarter.
“You have to respect that and reward that.”
3 – Chris Scott (Geelong)
“Chris Scott, I'll put it at 3.
“I just think that he has the flexibility of when he's tagging on and off.
“It’s what he does with Jezza (Cameron), what he does with (Patrick) Dangerfield and Max Holmes, those sorts of players.
“We talk a lot about their half forwards being diligent defensively and offensively great.”
4 – Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)
“At fourth, I'm going to put the ‘genius’ in because I do think he's prepared to throw players around a little bit.
“Particularly when he brings on the sub, he always frees up. He has a happy knack of choosing the right player to move from the back line to the forward line.
“I think he's had more success this year than most at doing that.”
Cornes’ top four coaches in the finals
1 – Chris Fagan (Brisbane)
“I can’t go past Chris Fagan. It's more than in-game, though.
“Chris Fagan's ability to manage the week and set his team up and then execute on game day. His record in the last six years is better than anyone's.
“I've got confidence and until someone knocks him off, I’m going to stick with Chris, who's got the best record.”
2 – Chris Scott (Geelong)
3 – Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)
“The genius is at three.”
4 – Matthew Nicks (Adelaide)
“I see it slightly differently. I've gone with Matty Nicks at four.
“I think his ability to adjust at quarter time this year has been significant, and I've liked seeing him do that on the run.
“They've been challenged a couple of times at quarter time, their game's in good shape, they finished on top with 18 wins, and they qualified in top position, so it’s hard to go past him with the year that he's had.
“I think he's been the coach of the year for me.”
