Former Fremantle star Paul Hasleby has ranked his top seven AFL coaches, and surprisingly Hawthorn's Alastair Clarkson isn't number one on the list.
Clarkson, regarded as the best coach of the modern era, has led Hawthorn to four premierships, including the three-peat from 2013 to 2015.
“He’s got four premierships," Halsleby told Sportsday WA about Clarkson.
"He did win one in 2008 and then struggled with a list that probably should have won more through that time, he regrouped, he got the threepeat as we know through 2013, 2014 and 2015."
Instead, number one on Hasleby's list is Richmond's Damien Hardwick, who has led the club to two premierships in three years and resurrected the yellow and black as a force to be reckoned with.
“I’ve got Hardwick at one who has gone past (Clarkson)," he said.
"I think he’s more of a modern day coach. What he’s done with Richmond and the playing group he’s had through his time, he’s got two premierships, they were favourite to win the third one and were knocked out by Collingwood.
"I think there’s more to come and when it’s all said and done, I think he’s going to have at least four premierships alongside Alastair Clarkson, maybe even five with this Richmond team.”
Rounding out the seven is West Coast's Adam Simpson, Sydney's John Longmire, Geelong's Chris Scott, Brisbane's Chris Fagan and Collingwood's Nathan Buckley.
Hasleby's top seven coaches
- Damien Hardwick (Richmond)
- Alistair Clarkson (Hawthorn)
- Adam Simpson (West Coast)
- John Longmire (Sydney)
- Chris Scott (Geelong)
- Chris Fagan (Brisbane)
- Nathan Buckley (Collingwood)
