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.
Craig McRae (Collingwood)
Safe
McRae has only failed to make a finals series once since becoming head coach in 2022, and they will play them once again this year.
Fly brought the Magpies their record-equalling 16th premiership in his second season as coach, and is on the hunt for players to help the Pies reach a 17th in the years coming.
Fly transitioned the club when he took over from Nathan Buckley, replacing a high-pressure environment where other teams and fans alike shared a hatred for Collingwood, with a very positive, family-oriented environment, building a culture through connection. The Pies look as though instead of rebuilding the side, they want to replace experience with hopeful star power, while trying to get games into young players when they can.
McRae has continuously been praised since earning the top job, and for good reason, as the Pies have had a winning season every year since he took over. Contracted until 2028, McRae isn't going anywhere anytime soon, and could potentially have the likes of Butters and Neale added in 2027.
