Expectation is always vast every year as the AFL season approaches, with a raft of senior coaches needing a particularly strong start to the season in order to answer the critics.

Alan Richardson, Chris Fagan and Stewart Dew faced that sort of pressure, and have hit back with strong starts for their respective clubs. All three coaches needed to stamp their authority on their clubs this season, and have done so thus far.

In turn, they have managed to shift the dynamic within the competition and heaped the pressure on other coaches who desperately need the four points this weekend.

So which coaches would need a win this weekend the most?

3. John Worsfold

Woosha defied his critics after recording a much-needed win against the Demons last week, but Worsfold and his Bombers can't afford to rest on their laurels. Starting on the back foot after two lacklustre performances, Essendon will desperately be needing to defeat an up and coming Lions outfit on Saturday afternoon at the 'G. A team with so much expectation on them in the pre-season, Worsfold can't afford to be 1-3 after the first four games of the season.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 05: Bombers head coach John Worsfold walks out at at three quarter time during the round three AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 05, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)