It's totally understandable that not all AFL coaches are engaging and articulate when fronting the media. They have, after all, been employed first and foremost to improve their respective team and get wins on the board.
That said, with members handing over their hard-earned in today's tough economic climate, it is an important part of the job. Fans deserve to hear from their coach regularly and they should expect them to do so honestly.
I watch nearly all pre-and-post-game press conferences, as well as many of the footy shows that often have coaches appearing as guests. I appreciate a coach that isn't a smart alec, doesn't get unnecessarily prickly, speaks candidly, doesn't spout cliché answers and is articulate and engaging.
So, that said, I've put together my Top 10 performers in the media.
Two coaches that haven't made my list are Ross Lyon (Saints) and Justin Longmuir (Dockers). The former, for mine, is too often condescending and a master of deflection. Refer to his Round 6 post-game presser as evidence. Longmuir, meanwhile, lacks energy, and quite frankly, is boring.
10Alastair Clarkson (Kangaroos)
I don't find 'Clarko' overly stimulating, which is somewhat surprising, given his experience and list of accomplishments. He's not as articulate as some, and I feel, at times, he could be more expansive. Put simply, I reckon I know what I'm going to get, ahead of a Clarkson press conference. That said, I do enjoy his explanation of some of his coaching moves (i.e. moving Luke Parker to half back). That's the art of coaching and I feel it's an area of the job that is interesting and not explained frequently enough.
