As the 2026 AFL season comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the year and how the coaches have performed.
Some have had a leg up in terms of the strength of their list, while others have surprised the competition as first-timers.
But who ranks in the top five? Speaking on The Outer Wing, hosted by Mark Stevens and Digby Beacham, presented by TAB Touch, Beacham goes through his top five coaches of 2026.
5Craig McRae (Collingwood)
"I know they played in a prelim last year, but there was an expectation they would fall by the wayside.
"Ageing list; they've battled some injuries; they haven't had Darcy Moore for basically the entire season. Jamie Elliott blew his knee out. Jeremy Howe has missed some football; we know that (Brayden) Maynard has.
"At the halfway mark, after that King's Birthday game, they were five wins, seven losses and a draw, and we all thought that the cliffs come. They're done.
"I think Craig McRae is coaching the absolute ears off them. Since then, they have won seven of eight. The only blip being the game against Geelong.
"We saw them here (Perth) first-hand with effectively a VFL side, and they still got it done. I think he's doing a wonderful job."
