Pressure gauge: Ranking the 18 AFL coaches by job security
SEN • April 17th, 2025 2:41 pm

SEN WA’s Scott Cummings has assessed each of the 18 coaches with a pressure rating based on job security.
The Coleman Medallist was quizzed by co-host Tim Gossage on SEN WA Breakfast to put his rankings together.
Cummings rated the coaches from 10 to 1 - with 10 being secure and 1 being the opposite.
Simon Goodwin (Melbourne)
Rating: 1
“Simon Goodwin could lose his job in the next three weeks,” said Cummings.
Ken Hinkley (Port Adelaide)
Rating: 1
2025 is Hinkley’s last season in charge at Port with the succession plan handover to Josh Carr in full swing.
Michael Voss (Carlton)
Rating: 3
“‘Vossy’ is absolutely feeling the heat, because it’s Carlton and they knife people like there’s no tomorrow.”
The Blues have had a torrid start to the season, but they still could recover under Voss.
Brad Scott (Essendon)
Rating: 6
Scott is in this third year at the helm of the Bombers. As long as they show improvement, he’ll be right.
Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)
Rating: 6
“If it turns bad for the Dogs, it will turn on him.”
Some have said Bevo could be gone at season’s end. The Dogs would likely need to play finals for him to stay on.
Justin Longmuir (Fremantle)
Rating: 6
“If it goes bad he won’t keep his job. I don’t think it will go bad, but if it does then he’s a six.”
But the Dockers are in winning form right now and finals would keep him in the job.
Matthew Nicks (Adelaide)
Rating: 7
“Right now it sits at a seven.”
This is a big year for Nicks and the Crows. They HAVE to make finals. It’s started fairly well.
Adem Yze (Richmond)
Rating: 7
“In his second year so he’s a seven.”
The Tigers are in a deep rebuild and Yze should be given time.
Alastair Clarkson (North Melbourne)
Rating: 7
The Roos are also rebuilding. They really need to improve this year and stop conceding big scores.
Ross Lyon (St Kilda)
Rating: 8
“They are playing decent footy under Ross.”
It feels like the Saints are going in the right direction under Lyon.
Craig McRae (Collingwood)
Rating: 8
The 2023 premiers are in good order under Fly.
Adam Kingsley (GWS)
Rating: 8
The Giants are on the march under Kingsley. They should again compete at the pointy end of the season.
Dean Cox (Sydney)
Rating: 9
“Cox is secure. Sydney is a strong, resilient club.”
First year in the job after Horse. Cox is very secure.
Andrew McQualter (West Coast)
Rating: 10
McQualter is in his first year as Eagles coach so the pressure is not high, especially considering their continued rebuild.
Chris Scott (Geelong)
Rating: 10
The Cats are strong, as always, and Scott is their man.
Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)
Rating: 10
The Hawks are in a good position under Mitchell and should challenge for the flag this year.
Damien Hardwick (Gold Coast)
Rating: 10
Dimma has the Suns humming in just his second year. He’s got the job for a while.
Chris Fagan (Brisbane)
Rating: 10
“He’s got it for as long as he wants it.”
Reigning premiers won’t be changing things anytime soon.