AFL coaches never safe The Age
December 6, 2010 - 1:02PM The step from hero to zero is a short one in AFL coaching.
John Worsfold and Michael Voss have captained or coached each of their AFL clubs' three premierships, but will enter 2011 fighting for their careers.
Mick Malthouse coached Collingwood to glory just this October, but knows next year is his last in the job.
The man he replaced as the AFL's reigning premiership coach, Geelong's Mark Thompson, has already left, one of three premiership coaches to exit this year.
Strangely, the only head coach with no experience on any AFL club's coaching panel is probably the most secure - Essendon favourite son James Hird, courtesy of the four-year contract needed to lure him from business.
Here's what confronts all 17 clubs in 2011:RICHMONDLow expectations under first-year coach Damien Hardwick in 2010 were further dampened by nine straight losses to start the season. But six wins, a standout first year from midfielder Dustin Martin and surprise Coleman Medal to Jack Riewoldt have hopes much higher for the coming season. The big queries are whether Riewoldt and Martin can reproduce that form under greater scrutiny and whether another tall forward can emerge to support Riewoldt.
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