It seems that in every AFL off-season, there are one or two coaching changes.
But this year is different. All 18 coaches kept their jobs... for now at least.
This is not to write off the following five men or even suggest they will get sacked if they're teams fail to produce this season. But these five will face considerable pressure if they're sides go backwards.
Here are the five coaches most under the pump in 2019:ย ย
2. Ross Lyon
Unsentimental and unyielding, the Fremantle coach famously took the Dockers top job in 2011 after departing St Kilda. Despite fan calls for his sacking, those internal to the football club have stated that Lyon is a stable, loyal clubman, and that his loyalty helps promotes a healthy level of football that comes with an element of trust.
The fact is that the Dockers have barely set the competition alight the past several seasons, and have experienced little development by way of wins or later positioning. While rated highly internally, patience comes in short supply in WA, and quite frankly, Lyon has been given long enough to prove his worth. Is this rebuild even working?
There has been a growing emphasis on a genuine "rebuild" designed by Lyon himself, but the reality is the Dockers are almost three seasons in the plan and haven't sold faith or seen any grand transformation. Put simply, Lyon may not be the man to lead the Dockers back to the finals, and while a "quick fix" letting go might not be ideal - it may be what the club needs to fast-track their move forward.
