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.
1Justin Longmuir (Fremantle)
"I've got Justin Longmuir as the coach of the season.
"This is a side which had been in and around the top eight. Where were they at? What do they need to do? There were a lot of eyeballs on Justin at the start of the year, and he's got this side winning a minor premiership.
"They're going to get two (finals) games at home. They haven't lost at home all year. They're premiership favourites with TabTouch."
