THE AFL’S TOP FIVE COACHES OF ALL TIME (in alphabetical order)
ALASTAIR CLARKSON
Coached: 2005-current (Hawthorn). Record: 352 games, 217 wins, 133 losses, 2 draws. Premierships: 4. Grand Finals: 5. All finals: 16 wins, 10 losses.
The modern-day mastermind rebuilt the Hawks in his first two seasons and since then has missed the finals just once. Four premierships include three consecutive flags from 2013 – a remarkable feat given the equalisation measures in the competition.
MICK MALTHOUSE
Coached: 1984-89 (Footscray), 1990-99 (West Coast), 2000-11 (Collingwood), 2013-15 (Carlton). Record: 718 games, 406 wins, 305 losses, 7 draws. Premierships: 3. Grand Finals: 7. All finals: 27 wins, 22 losses, 2 draws.
No man has coached more AFL games or won more finals than the shrewd tactician. Durability personified, led the first non-Victorian team to win the premiership (West Coast) and broke a 20-year drought at Collingwood.
JOCK McHALE
Coached: 1912-1949 (Collingwood). Record: 713 games, 466 wins, 237 losses 10 draws. Premierships: 7. Grand Finals: 16. All finals: 26 wins, 30 losses 2 draws.
Second behind Malthouse on the games coached list, was at the Magpies’ helm for an astonishing 38 consecutive years – a record surely never to be neared, let alone broken. His seven premierships is also a competition record.
KEVIN SHEEDY
Coached: 1981-2007 (Essendon), 2012-13 (GWS). Record: 678 games, 389 wins, 283 losses, 6 draws. Premierships: 4. Grand Finals: 7. All finals: 23 wins, 20 losses.
Four flags in 27-straight years as Essendon’s coach when the ex-plumber gained status as the craftiest coach in the business. A visionary and expansionist, answered the AFL’s call to lead GWS in their fledgling seasons.
NORM SMITH
Coached: 1949-51 (Fitzroy), 1952-67 (Melbourne), 1969-72 (South Melbourne). Record: 452 games, 253 wins, 192 losses, 7 draws. Premierships: 6. Grand Finals: 8. All finals: 16 wins, 8 losses.
Five premierships in six years at Melbourne from 1955 confirmed his status as a legend of the game. Chosen as coach of the AFL’s team of the century and best-afield in the grand final wins a medal in his name.
