We're only four rounds in, but we can't help but feel some heat for these blokes. Zero Hanger discusses which three coaches are sweating early on.
When Don Pyke led the Crows' to a minor premiership and Grand Final appearance in 2017, the last thing we expected was the Crows to finish 12th in 2018 and begin a hopeful 2019 season 1-3.
Losing to the previously winless Kangaroos in embarrassing fashion on Saturday night hasn't helped Pyke's belief in his coaching ability either. The Adelaide faithful are bewildered as to how their beloved team could drop so dramatically in such a short amount of time.
The Crows' only win came in round two where they were able to triumph over the Swans at the SCG, although at the time it seemed as though Pyke had his men on track, the Swans have done everything but impress at the SCG so far being unable to win a game at their home park. Will Pyke be able to deliver what we have all expected him to this season? Or will it be back-to-back mediocre seasons, leaving the 50-year-old's coaching career in limbo?
It was touted as a make-or-break season for the Power coach, being unable to seize any finals success since 2014 where the boys from Alberton fell short in a preliminary final to the eventual premiers in Hawthorn by just three points, Hinkley looked like the man to lead Port Adelaide.
It has been a downward spiral since then, unable to make the finals in '15 & '16, Hinkley was able to manufacture getting his men to finish 5th in 2017 before being knocked out in a famous elimination final that saw Luke Shuey kick a goal after the siren to win the game in extra-time.
Once again starting the season strong in 2018 going 11-4 before losing their next six of seven games saw the boys in teal, black and white miss the finals.
2-2 to start this season doesn't sound all that bad, but losing to Richmond in their own backyard without the Tigers' stars, must send alarm bells off for the Port Adelaide committee. It's simply finals or bust for the Power.
The only winless team left after round four, an exclusive club no one wants to be a part of. Bolton's men have shown dramatic improvement in their first three games of the season before heading to Gold Coast where the Blues' first win looked likely. Enter Jack Bowes who snapped a goal over his right shoulder and broke the hearts of the Carlton faithful as well as the playing group.
It's Bolton's fourth year at the helm of the Blues, and after finishing 14th, 16th and 18th in his last three seasons, many expected the boys in navy blue to make their way up the ladder in 2019. A tough draw to start the season hasn't helped the playing group's confidence, but four points must come soon or Mark Lo Giudice and his board members may start to question where the club is at.