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Coaching pressure ratings: From safest to most vulnerable
SEN • May 5th, 2026 3:00 pm
Which AFL coaches are under the most pressure right now?
SEN WA’s Scott Cummings and Tim Gossage have dissected all 18 coaches and constructed their respective lists based on who they believe should be under the most pressure.
“This is not about holding your job for next year. This is about who is just the safest in their job right now,” Gossage said on SEN WA Breakfast.
From safest (1) to most vulnerable (18), these are the latest coaching pressure ratings from the team in Perth.
Cummings' pressure ratings
1 - Dean Cox (SYD)
“I know how rock solid and loyal the football club is,” Cummings said.
“Knowing Andrew Pridham and how that club operates - Dean Cox at No.1 for me.”
2 - Sam Mitchell (HAW)
3 - Chris Fagan (BRI)
4 - Justin Longmuir (FRE)
“I’d have him higher if it wasn’t for his really poxy work contract agreement.”
5 - Chris Scott (GEE)
“As far as coaches go who are going to walk out on their own accord, he is No.1 of that.”
6 - Steven King (MEL)
“First-year coach plays a big hand in that. He has reinvigorated that place, made some really tough calls.
“It’s worked for everybody and he’s got them playing exciting footy.”
7 - Craig McRae (COL)
8 - Damien Hardwick (GCS)
“His resumé as a three-time premiership coach and two-time premiership player helps him.”
9 - Josh Carr (PA)
10 - Matthew Nicks (ADE)
11 - Adam Kingsley (GWS)
“I think he’s got a little bit of grace with their injuries. It might be high but I’ve got Kingsley at 11.”
12 - Luke Beveridge (WB)
“Now that Ken Hinkley’s gone, nobody has their job spoken about more.
“I’ve got him at 12 and he’s going to have excuses this year.”
13 - Ross Lyon (STK)
14 - Alastair Clarkson (NM)
“I still expect North to drop this year.”
15 - Adem Yze (RIC)
16 - Andrew McQualter (WCE)
17 - Brad Scott (ESS)
18 - Michael Voss (CAR)
Gossage's pressure ratings
1 - Chris Fagan (BRI)
“He’s a father figure and he’s won the last two premierships.”
2 - Sam Mitchell (HAW)
3 - Dean Cox (SYD)
“Our top three are much of a muchness.”
4 - Justin Longmuir (FRE)
“They’re just so good to watch right now. He looks like he’s in an absolutely great headspace.”
5 - Steven King (MEL)
“The freshness about King is so watchable.”
6 - Chris Scott (GEE)
7 - Damien Hardwick (GCS)
“Hardwick at 7, but boy oh boy, they’d want two get moving.”
8 - Josh Carr (PA)
“There’s a lot to like about Josh Carr.
“I don’t think he likes me, and I don’t dislike him, but I think he’s coaching well.”
9 - Craig McRae (COL)
“He’s safe because he’s Craig McRae and he says the right things and has got a flag.
“But if they fall over the cliff he’ll come under some heat. If they don’t make the top eight this year then the pressure will go on, certainly for next year.
“He’s almost unsackable because he’s a nice guy.”
10 - Ross Lyon (STK)
“They’re right on the cusp, and tracking in the right direction under him.”
11 - Alastair Clarkson (NM)
12 - Matthew Nicks (ADE)
13 - Luke Beveridge (WB)
14 - Adam Kingsley (GWS)
“I think the heat is genuinely on him now. I know they’ve had injuries, I get that, but you can’t just be keeping that as an excuse.
“Have they got better? A lot of their senior blokes are on the right side of the age ladder.”
15 - Adem Yze (RIC)
16 - Andrew McQualter (WCE)
17 - Brad Scott (ESS)
18 - Michael Voss (CAR)
