2. Damien Hardwick

Damien Hardwick is a proven premiership coach, and if you can take your club to their first flag in 37 years, you get a spot on this list.

Until round nine, Richmond were right beside the West Coast Eagles as the only teams to have suffered just one loss this season, so their form has been even more impressive than last season.

Hardwick has been a careful operator when it comes to injury rehabilitation of his players this season. Premiership players Daniel Rioli and Nick Vlastuin, Josh Caddy and even their captain Trent Cotchin have been forced to miss time this season due to injury.

Despite having these important players sidelined, Hardwick has kept the ship on course and is ensuring that his players are not brought back too early.

Hardwick has implemented a cohesive system of team football where the team doesn't have to rely on superstar performances from their star players every match to effectively win games.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Damien Hardwick, Senior Coach of the Tigers addresses the crowd during the 2017 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 30, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)