Coach Is Craig McRae currently the best coach in the AFL?

[RCAB]

Are we still sleeping on McRae as the top coach in the game? The numbers—and the tactics—say it’s time to wake up.

Flag in Year 2

Top 4 in 3 of 4 seasons (well on track for 2025)

68.8% win rate – best among active coaches ( 2nd C.Scott 67.6%, 3rd Kingsley 60.7%)

Currently, the best third quarter team in the AFL, 5-1, 335.56% (next best is Lions at 196.81%


That last one isn’t a fluke. It’s a window into how he dissects the game plan by halftime, adjusts, then surgically shuts you down after the break. His zone structures are the best in the league right now.

Corridor press: Forces you wide early

Wing clamps: Cuts off your exit once you try to escape sideways

Accountable transition: Despite having the oldest list, they’re the most selfless and system-faithful team


He’s got two modes, compress and collapse.

Then he switches between them mid-game with more fluency than any other coach.

And let’s not ignore he’s doing it with a list that’s been written off as too old for three seasons straight. Yet they look sharper, more connected, and more dangerous than ever.

 

[GROTTO]

A plane has entered the chatroom.

 

[STPer18]

A plane has entered the chatroom.

KING KENNETH!

 

[powerrrrrrrrrrrr]

A plane has entered the chatroom.

Going by most on this forum, the answer has to be Ken is the master coach. After all, we were told there’s no one decent when the Pies went in and grabbed McRae.

 

[Padova]

Sam Mitchell

 

[Magpie Since 1986]

Sam Mitchell

Started the same time as Fly . Wonder how their records compare

 

[Corn Cobbers]

Started the same time as Fly . Wonder how their records compare

Fly started with a much better squad including a fresh Daics

But what he's done this year so far is something else

Mitchell going very nicely, excellent coach

 

[BF Tiger]

There's a 3-time premiership coach and coach of the only undefeated side going around.

 

[Roylion]

Isn't the "best coach" the one with their team on top of the ladder and the "worst coach" the one with their team at the bottom of the ladder? That's the way it seems in some sections of the media and in wider public opinion. Changes from week to week.

 

[piesaregreat]

Lots of good coaches going around
Fly is doing very well but as with all coaches the players the admin the assistants etc all affect the results

 

[Orange crush]

Certainly is imo

Well that farking seals it

 

[Fadge]

Are we still sleeping on McRae as the top coach in the game? The numbers—and the tactics—say it’s time to wake up.

Flag in Year 2

Top 4 in 3 of 4 seasons (well on track for 2025)

68.8% win rate – best among active coaches ( 2nd C.Scott 67.6%, 3rd Kingsley 60.7%)

Currently, the best third quarter team in the AFL, 5-1, 335.56% (next best is Lions at 196.81%


That last one isn’t a fluke. It’s a window into how he dissects the game plan by halftime, adjusts, then surgically shuts you down after the break. His zone structures are the best in the league right now.

Corridor press: Forces you wide early

Wing clamps: Cuts off your exit once you try to escape sideways

Accountable transition: Despite having the oldest list, they’re the most selfless and system-faithful team


He’s got two modes, compress and collapse.

Then he switches between them mid-game with more fluency than any other coach.

And let’s not ignore he’s doing it with a list that’s been written off as too old for three seasons straight. Yet they look sharper, more connected, and more dangerous than ever.

You've always been an astute analyst, RCAB, and this thread is no different.

 

[bzparkes]

Are we still sleeping on McRae as the top coach in the game? The numbers—and the tactics—say it’s time to wake up.

Flag in Year 2

Top 4 in 3 of 4 seasons (well on track for 2025)

68.8% win rate – best among active coaches ( 2nd C.Scott 67.6%, 3rd Kingsley 60.7%)

Currently, the best third quarter team in the AFL, 5-1, 335.56% (next best is Lions at 196.81%


That last one isn’t a fluke. It’s a window into how he dissects the game plan by halftime, adjusts, then surgically shuts you down after the break. His zone structures are the best in the league right now.

Corridor press: Forces you wide early

Wing clamps: Cuts off your exit once you try to escape sideways

Accountable transition: Despite having the oldest list, they’re the most selfless and system-faithful team


He’s got two modes, compress and collapse.

Then he switches between them mid-game with more fluency than any other coach.

And let’s not ignore he’s doing it with a list that’s been written off as too old for three seasons straight. Yet they look sharper, more connected, and more dangerous than ever.

Just change your supported team already bud.

 

[Handsuper47]

As it stands I would probably say it's Chris Scott

Chris Scott

Age

49

Ht

182cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.6

4star

K

11.2

4star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.2

4star

K

10.2

4star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.4

3star

as his record is remarkably consistent. Been coaching since 2011, 2 flags, 10 top four finishes, only missed twice then immediately bounced into the top four the year after.

 

[Osho]

Craig prob is this week, and least. He's got his boys playing tight and fast.

My bloke has dropped a few places!

Yze has jumped above 4 premiership coach, Alistair Clarkson, and triple premiership coach, Dimma Hardwick, at least for this week.

 

[Cyclops]

Surely record matters?

Three at the top:
Clarckson (fading now)
Dimma (set to do it again?)
Scott (most consistent, Geelongs GOAT coach and still under rated)

Fagan. 6 years in finals? From where he started? Not the richest club. Arguably in the top group.

Mcrae. Great start, well resourced.

Bevo.

Dunno about the rest, but dishonourable mention Lyon for making footy ugly.

Isn't the "best coach" the one with their team on top of the ladder and the "worst coach" the one with their team at the bottom of the ladder? That's the way it seems in some sections of the media and in wider public opinion. Changes from week to week.

Yeah need a clear criteria to make the discussion worthwhile.

 

[sleep]

Are we still sleeping on McRae as the top coach in the game? The numbers—and the tactics—say it’s time to wake up.

Flag in Year 2

Top 4 in 3 of 4 seasons (well on track for 2025)

68.8% win rate – best among active coaches ( 2nd C.Scott 67.6%, 3rd Kingsley 60.7%)

Currently, the best third quarter team in the AFL, 5-1, 335.56% (next best is Lions at 196.81%


That last one isn’t a fluke. It’s a window into how he dissects the game plan by halftime, adjusts, then surgically shuts you down after the break. His zone structures are the best in the league right now.

Corridor press: Forces you wide early

Wing clamps: Cuts off your exit once you try to escape sideways

Accountable transition: Despite having the oldest list, they’re the most selfless and system-faithful team


He’s got two modes, compress and collapse.

Then he switches between them mid-game with more fluency than any other coach.

And let’s not ignore he’s doing it with a list that’s been written off as too old for three seasons straight. Yet they look sharper, more connected, and more dangerous than ever.

Best 3rd quarter team. haha

 

[NWM]

I think in terms of gradings. Its impossible to say whos the best. But he is definetely A grade. Great coach.
But he does have the best facilities, 40 assistant coaches, $$$ etc.
Would he be getting results at North? GC? GWS flag? StKilda? Dogs?

Alistar Clarkson - without hodge, mitchell, franklin, rioli, the huge $$$, 40 assistant coaches etc etc has looked second rate. What Bevo did with the bulldogs in 2016 was remarklable. Psychologically Master.
Simon Goodwin

Simon Goodwin

Age

48

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.9

5star

K

12.1

4star

HB

8.8

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.5

4star

No current season stats available

D

9.4

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

2.2

2star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

- second rate when no help. $$$ behind them. Suddenly wins a flag when Richo comes on board. Make no mistake Alan Richardson was behind Demons flag.
Hardwick - second rate with list for years until assistants, $$$ got behind him. So?

But yes Macrae is top class class nevertheless.

 

[Lockyer24]

Scott has done it for longer

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Love Fly, but I think Chris Scott

Chris Scott

Age

49

Ht

182cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.6

4star

K

11.2

4star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.2

4star

K

10.2

4star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.4

3star

is the best coach in the league.

He's demonstrated the ability to adapt and still remain near the top on a consistent basis.

 

[JHF1870]

Fly and Scott great coaches. I think YZE is doing really good things with a young Richmond side.

Adam Kingsley

Adam Kingsley

Age

49

Ht

183cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.9

4star

K

11.5

4star

HB

5.4

4star

M

4.1

4star

T

1.3

3star

No current season stats available

D

16.4

4star

K

10.4

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

is very good.

 

[craffles]

Scott, Fagan, Hardwick for me. McRae has a seasoned side and alll the resources in the world. He would still be top 5 but longevity and support need to be considered.

 

[demondavey]

Not hard to be a good coach with the massive MCG advantages of a big Vic club.

Fagan by far and wide is the best. Any half decent coach could get Richmond or Collingwood to a GF with a semi decent list. See how much Hardwick is having a tough time at the Suns.

Brisbanes finals performances last year were all on the road bar the EF.

Come back to me re McCrae when he has to do that. The guy even said ‘that wouldn’t have happened at the MCG’ you don’t say, because you know you get looked after there.

 

[Mofra]

Let's not sleep on Yze. He's managing a placing at Bathurst in a Datsun 180Y. What he's doing with that Richmond group is outstanding.

 

[pico]

Probably. There really aren't any other good coaches left