Four experienced coaches moved on from their senior AFL coaching roles this season, and with four more out of contract in 2027, who will survive and extend, and who could face the swift chop of the axe?
Adelaide's Matthew Nicks, Western Bulldogs' Luke Beveridge, St Kilda's Ross Lyon and West Coast's Andrew McQualter are all contracted until the end of the 2027 season.
The four coaches head into next year with different temperatures on their seats. Nicks' is red-hot, while Beveridge, McQualter and Lyon's will warm fast if results don't go their way.
Alastair Clarkson (North Melbourne), Michael Voss (Carlton), Brad Scott (Essendon) and Chris Fagan (Brisbane) all left their senior coach roles in 2026. Albeit for different reasons, with Fagan's three-peat departure straight out of a Hollywood movie.
The 2027 AFL fixture has now been released, so what does each coach have to do across the first few rounds to earn a new contract, simply survive or face a firing squad?
Ross Lyon (St Kilda)
Ross the Boss is certainly that at the Saints.
Lyon's responsibility and power at St Kilda is greater than that of the average coach, so perhaps his future is already organised by the man himself.
But nonetheless, Lyon will be under strong external pressure if his side does not leap forward in 2027.
The club has put its chips on the table in signing multiple recruits on big money, while the Saints also have access to a generational talent in Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera who is also out of contract next season and will need result-based motivation to stay.
The first 10 rounds see St Kilda play Collingwood (home), Western Bulldogs (away), Melbourne (home), Geelong (Gather Round), Port Adelaide (home), Fremantle (away), North Melbourne (away), Richmond (home), Brisbane (away) and GWS (home).
That is five out of the first six games against 2026 finalists, and fixtures against both Grand Finalists away from home in the first 10 games.
Earn a contract extension: Make a Semi-Final
Survive and a chance to get another contract: An early finals exit
Worst-case scenario and job gone: Miss the top 10
