Former Fremantle star Paul Hasleby has ranked his top seven AFL coaches, and surprisingly Hawthorn's Alastair Clarkson isn't number one on the list.ย
Clarkson, regarded as the best coach of the modern era, has led Hawthorn to four premierships, including the three-peat from 2013 to 2015.ย
โHeโs got four premierships," Halsleby told Sportsday WA about Clarkson.
"He did win one in 2008 and then struggled with a list that probably should have won more through that time, he regrouped, he got the threepeat as we know through 2013, 2014 and 2015." ย
Instead, number one on Hasleby's list is Richmond's Damien Hardwick, who has led the club to two premierships in three years and resurrected the yellow and black as a force to be reckoned with.ย
โIโve got Hardwick at one who has gone past (Clarkson)," he said.ย
"I think heโs more of a modern day coach. What heโs done with Richmond and the playing group heโs had through his time, heโs got two premierships, they were favourite to win the third one and were knocked out by Collingwood.
"I think thereโs more to come and when itโs all said and done, I think heโs going to have at least four premierships alongside Alastair Clarkson, maybe even five with this Richmond team.โ
Rounding out the seven is West Coast's Adam Simpson, Sydney's John Longmire, Geelong's Chris Scott, Brisbane's Chris Fagan and Collingwood's Nathan Buckley.ย
Hasleby's top seven coaches
- Damien Hardwick (Richmond)
- Alistair Clarkson (Hawthorn)
- Adam Simpson (West Coast)
- John Longmire (Sydney)
- Chris Scott (Geelong)
- Chris Fagan (Brisbane)
- Nathan Buckley (Collingwood)
