Our AFL experts tackle some of the burning questions ahead of Round 19, including whether Chris Scott's legacy will suffer without another premiership win, who the league's most likeable player is, and more.
Does Chris Scott need to win another premiership to be deemed a successful coach? Why?
Rohan Connolly: No, I don't think he does. Scott's record is outstanding even if he never wins another flag, particularly in an era where they're harder to win, with more competitors, more of whom are capable of winning. His phenomenal strike rate of 69% is better than all the 26 men who've coached more than his 278 games. Better still, just two men (Jack Bisset and Cliff Rankin) of the handful with a better strike rate have coached any more than 50 games, and even then, the most is just 80 for Rankin. Scott's record, headed for an eighth top four finish in 12 seasons, is extraordinary, and not given nearly enough credit.
Jake Michaels: To be considered 'successful', probably not, but to become a modern-day coaching great, then yes. Some will argue Scott inherited the best team in the competition in 2011 and was able to cruise to a flag. That may hold some truth but what often gets overlooked is his consistency. He wins almost seven of every 10 games and has managed at least 13 wins in all but one season. He's certainly been a successful coach but can he now join the greats with another premiership?
Matt Walsh: It depends how you define success, and some people define it differently to others. He's, of course, won a premiership in 2011, but whether he or others like it or not, questions will always linger about the list he inherited. I have no doubt that Scott, being the competitive beast he is, would love to win five more premierships in order to cement his greatness, but let's be honest, a near-70% win rate is impressive, even if you take the whole 'GMHBA thing' out of the equation.
Jarryd Barca: I don't believe any coach ever absolutely has to win a premiership to be classed as successful, so no. He may have somewhat inherited a Grand Final-standard team when he took the reins in 2011, but you can take nothing away from his record in the last decade and a bit, winning 192 of a possible 278 matches (69.4%) - the highest win rate of any Geelong gaffer who coached at least 60 games, and the third best in VFL/AFL history using the same threshold. Scott's tactical nous has helped him steer the Cats to 10 of the last 11 finals series', making the top four on eight of those occasions. Underachieved a tad given their free agency steals and overall list demographic? Probably! But his record still speaks for itself.
Who is the AFL's most likeable player?
RC: This is a REALLY tough question now Eddie Betts has retired! A couple of honourable mentions first, to Brisbane's Jarryd Lyons and St Kilda's Jack Steele, both of whom have done it tough at times, soldiered on to become leading players in the competition, and are modest, humble and articulate representatives of their clubs. I'm going for Carlton's Sam Docherty, though. To have overcome the adversity he has, fought back to remain a terrific player, and be universally-respected by teammates, rivals and all club fans alike, is no mean feat.
JM: Toby Greene? Only joking. Could it be David Mundy? He's closing in on 400 games and I'm not sure I've ever heard a negative word about him. Dockers fans adore him for what he's given to their club and everyone else seems to have nothing but respect for him.
MW: There are players you can be indifferent about as a fan, or those who you admire but don't really go out of your way to watch, but big Sam Draper is rapidly shooting up my list of players I enjoy watching. Whether it's the flowing locks, his bold and enjoyable personality, or his tendency to smooch housemate Matt Guelfi on the mouth after a big win - you never know what you're going to get from the big man, but I find myself grinning like a Cheshire Cat every time I watch him.
JB: Every team has its cult heroes, but when it comes to being universally respected across the competition, I think props need to go to the experienced leader types; Scott Pendlebury, Travis Boak, Max Gawn, Josh Kennedy (Sydney), Rory Sloane and David Mundy are the ones I can think of immediately. Then there are the pure box-office players in terms of skill that make you tune in anytime anywhere, which for me are your dynamic Dustin Martins and Christian Petraccas of the world, and of course the small forwards - your Tom Papley, Toby Greene, Kysaiah Pickett and Charlie Cameron types. How do I come up with a final decision? Try and put two and two together, and a couple of players that I think exhibit all of these traits better than most are Marcus Bontempelli and Touk Miller - talented, fierce competitors who ooze class in many ways and strive to their limits in each game they play.
Where do you see Buddy playing his football in 2023?
RC: Sydney. I'm not buying that either he or his club would allow one of the game's greatest players have his stellar career end with a sad, meaningless little postscript of one season at best at a third club. Franklin's legacy is important. He has been an outstanding player at two clubs. That's where the story needs to end. I'm sure the Swans recognise that, and I reckon he understand it, too.
JM: Surely it's the Swans. He's given plenty to the club (despite no premiership) but Sydney has also done a lot for him. I would be surprised if the two were unable to agree on terms for another contract. The idea of Buddy going elsewhere for a season or two -- unless it was back to Hawthorn -- just doesn't sit well with me.
MW: I thought he would rebuff offers to leave Hawthorn back in the day (though I was young and perhaps a little naive) but I truly think he's staying at the Swans. There's always posturing from management and players come the end of a (hefty) contract, but given Lance has his roots in Sydney now, complete with young family, is moving for a year -- maybe two -- really worth the hassle of an extra howevermuch?
JB: Sydney and his management will reach a resolution and Buddy will see out his days in the harbour city. That's my gut feel, and I think he owes it to the Swans to at worst accept a lesser offer given what they're currently building (he couldn't pack it up and leave over pocket change difference after the astronomical nine-year deal they handed him almost a decade ago, could he?). For one of the greatest players we've ever seen to close the curtains on his career in 2022 due to a fall through in negotiations just wouldn't seem right. I expect 2023 to be his swan song, pun intended.
Which team has the most to lose this week and why?
RC: Richmond for me. I still have the Tigers making the eight, with a more manageable run home than their nearest rivals the Bulldogs and St Kilda. As calamitous as their last two "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory" efforts have been, another two goals (or 12 points) across three games and they would have now won 10 of their past 11. My point is that they're not that far off and their best is still very good. But drop this one to Fremantle at Marvel Stadium and I suspect the bottom might fall out of the whole shebang. This really is their last chance.
JM: It's clearly the Tigers. A fortnight ago they were top eight locks, but with horror losses to Gold Coast and North Melbourne, it's back to being a coin flip. Richmond still has a relatively friendly run home but it cannot afford to slip up again when they host the Dockers on Friday night. A loss could really open the door for the Bulldogs and/or Saints. No Dustin Martin or Tom Lynch makes things very tricky indeed...
MW: St Kilda, and to a broader extent, Brett Ratten. What a fall from grace; the Saints were humming along before the bye, but since, just one win from their last six is tough reading. After making finals in 2020, it's been a backwards slide for St Kilda, and Ratten may find himself under the spotlight if they once again miss September. This is his third full season in charge, and chatter around the industry is always 'you need to give a coach at least three years'. Unless you're North. Or Carlton. Anyway...
JB: It has to be Gold Coast, doesn't it? I know it's a tough encounter against their superior state rivals, but the Suns are the furthest away of the chasing pack still in the hunt for finals, and this could very well be their last roll of the dice after their dismal showing against the Bombers last week. Win (and hope for other results to fall their way) and it could be just percentage that separates them and eighth spot. Lose (and have other results go against them) and their season could be all but over. It's a big difference.