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WATCH: Field of Dreams finalistsKane Cornes AFL coach aura list: "He's a little bit sooky"
SEN • November 14th, 2025 10:26 am
Geelong coach Chris Scott tops Kane Cornes' rankings when it comes to "aura".
The SEN host ranked the 18 coaches based on what he saw through 2025 and there's some surprises in the order.
"I love aura," Cornes said. "I love the big figures that walk into a room and command your attention.
"It doesn't mean if you don't have strong aura you can't be a successful coach but I think it helps.
"It helps if you want to get your players to run through a brick wall for you.
"It helps in life. You can win premierships, you can do your job without aura, but it helps.
"It's hard to judge aura for new coaches. Here's the rankings for 2025."
18: Andrew McQualter - WCE
Not sure many would argue he is finding his feet with a difficult task. "Mini" the nickname doesn't help at all.
17: Josh Carr - PA
New coach finding his feet. Had great aura as a player - as tough as you have seen.
16: Alastair Clarkson - NM
He would have been top four or No 1 on this list 10 years ago. His aura has evaporated. It's not there. It doesn't help that he is in control of a poor side.
15: Steven King - MEL
I like him. Helps that he is a big man, kind energy and gives a strong message when he needs to.
14: Adem Yze - RIC
He would have been No. 18 12 months ago but he is coming up the rungs. I would encourage him to keep imposing his strong message on the group.
13: Dean Cox - SYD
12: Justin Longmuir - FRE
There's a plainness about him but I think we're starting to see there is something under the surface. Players love him and rave about him. Would like him to be a bit stronger.
11: Craig McRae - COL
For obvious reasons, he doesn't have a big aura. There's nice energy about him but doesn't have a big aura
10: Matthew Nicks - ADE
I like him but genuinely just nice.
9: Brad Scott - ESS
If Essendon start coming good he has the potential to be top 4.
8: Michael Voss - CAR
Had unbelievable aura as a player, has slipped though. He looks a bit frustrated. As big an aura as you have ever seen in the game at times, but as a coach he's starting to struggle.
7: Damien Hardwick - GCS
Got good aura but complains a fraction too much for me, he's a little bit sooky.
6: Adam Kingsley - GWS
Get him in the gym and show off the pipes. He can demand a strong message. The McRae exchange was a 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 victory
5: Sam Mitchell - HAW
A different aura, cheeky and a fraction smug in a good way. I love his aura. Don't mess with this guy.
4: Luke Beveridge - WB
He needs to fix his defensive profile but his aura is high. He has big aura.
3: Chris Fagan - BRI
Just has a different kind of aura. he has a magical mystique about him. We all love Chris
2: Ross Lyon - STK
1: Chris Scott - GEE
They pick themselves numbers one and two
