Alastair Clarkson

The FIVE coaches under the most pressure

These coaches are in the firing line for the remainder of 2020!

Published by
Lochlan Balloch

The AFL season is moving along at a lightning pace with the final 6 rounds of the season on the horizon as the true premiership contenders begin to emerge.

There are some teams though that are starting to fall off the pace and questions are starting to be asked.

Here are five coaches who are under pressure as we enter the final third of the season.

Rhyce Shaw

When Brad Scott was removed as coach halfway through last season, major changes were expected at North Melbourne and new coach Rhyce Shaw was touted as bringing these changes to the club.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 31: Interim coach of the Kangaroos Rhyce Shaw looks on during the round 11 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Richmond Tigers at Marvel Stadium on May 31, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

One year on at North, a sense of deja vu surrounds the Kangaroos. The youngsters such as Nick Larkey, Cam Zurhaar and especially Jye Simpkin have been impressive but the team performances and lack of impact from senior figures such as Ben Brown and Jared Polec have left North Melbourne lagging.

With only one win since Round 2, if things don't improve for North you'd expect major questions will be asked of not just Shaw but the entire Kangaroos organization as a whole.

Alastair Clarkson

Many media experts wrote off the aging Hawks at the start of last season, stating that the veteran-heavy list and the loss of Brownlow Medalist Tom Mitchell would see Hawthorn topple down the ladder

That was not the case and Hawthorn just missed the finals, finishing 9th. This year however, father time has finally caught up to Hawthorn and in particular, Clarkson.

Clarkson has arguably a stronger list this year with Mitchell back, mostly injury-free seasons from Jaeger O'Meara and star recruit Chad Wingard and another year under the belt of young studs such as James Worpel.

But Hawthorn are struggling, sitting at 15th with only four wins and one in their last five games. Finals seems to be a distant dream at this point and a full rebuild looks in order.

With their next two games against West Coast and Port Adelaide, the question remains if Clarkson will stick around for a likely multi-year build or move to greener pastures at seasons' end?

Simon Goodwin

It has been an incredibly inconsistent season for Melbourne so far. One win in the first six rounds had fans clamoring Goodwin's head following on from their shocking 17th place finish in 2019.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 11: Demons head coach Simon Goodwin enters the huddle at at three quarter time during the round 12 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Since then, the Demons have won four of their last six and sit just outside the top 8 in 10th. Finals are becoming more likely by the week but questions still remain.

Melbourne has been criticised at times for a lack of contested possessions in the midfield and a lack of forward line potency and consistency in these areas will be pivotal for Goodwin to figure out if an October run awaits.

If Melbourne falter however and miss the finals, serious questions will be asked if Goodwin is the long-term solution for the Demons.

Luke Beveridge

The Western Bulldogs were the darlings of the football world during the off-season after a finals appearance and smart recruiting in the off-season.

Now, inconsistency and faltering losses against top teams have left the Bulldogs sitting at 10th and looking down the barrel at a fourth finals miss in the five seasons and the previously untouchable Beveridge is in the firing line.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 21: Bulldogs head coach Luke Beveridge talks to Bailey Smith during the round 5 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Carlton at Marvel Stadium on April 21, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

His team selection and penchant for playing crucial players out of position continues to baffle some but the Bulldogs have produced just enough to give fans a glimmer of hope.

With crucial games against bottom half sides ahead before a trip to WA for a hub stay, is the long-term contract Beveridge signed last year enough to justify the Bulldogs continually underperforming since 2016.

Leon Cameron

The Giants have been perhaps the biggest enigma of the 2020 season. Following their demoralizing 89-point loss to Richmond in last year's Grand Final, many predicted GWS to bounce back and be premiership fancies for 2020.

This has not been the case so far, with the Giants sitting 8th and lacking the potency and slick ball movement that made them one of the darlings of the football world.

Injuries to stars such as Tim Taranto, Callan Ward, Toby Greene and Zac Williams have played their role but even with these players out, the Giants have arguably the best list in the AFL and Cameron seems unable to get the best of his superstar squad.

With a WA hub stay looming, their three game win streak in recent weeks has them well placed for a finals run. If that doesn't eventuate however, is it time GWS move on from Cameron and bring in a new face.

Anyone have Ross Lyon's number?

Published by
Lochlan Balloch