Each year AFL coaches are either put under scrutiny or praised for what they have done with the club's list and where their side has finished at the end of the year.
Whether it's a club going through a rebuild, a premiership contender, or a side failing to fulfil expectations, here is every coach ranked as safe, pressure-building, or under the pump heading into the 2027 season.
Alastair Clarkson (North Melbourne)
Under the pump
Clarko took the Kangaroos head coaching position in 2023 and has had to rebuild the club ever since. Up to 2025, the Roos have had just 11 wins in three years, but development has occurred with nine wins so far in 2026.
As he now comes towards the end of his fourth season in charge, North will spend their 10th straight season without featuring in the finals. So far this year, the Roos have only beaten one team above them on the ladder and won't get a wildcard berth, creating speculation as to whether Clarkson is the right man for North Melbourne in the future.
Clarkson did confirm he isn't worried about his contract, however, saying "all I require is a handshake and a wink and a nod, and that'll do me."
Wins and finals are what a club like North needs, and with no finals this season, pressure is on to see what Clarkson can do next year.
