Kane Cornes has ranked the 18 AFL coaches and what they should be paid in season 2024.
Cornes laid out some criteria as to why has made the assessments he has, taking into account the AFL’s soft cap rules.
“They’re not paid enough, I think they should be paid more,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.
“The criteria for this is if we were rewarding contracts on a year-by-year basis.
“For context, this money has to go inside a football soft cap which has now been increased to just over $7.2 million. So if a coach takes $1.2 million, there’s $6 million for doctors, masseuses, strategy, IT, everything that goes into a footy department.
“I just wanted to give that context, but now 20 per cent of their salary can be paid outside of that soft cap.”
See his list and analysis below:
18 - $450k - Adam Simpson (West Coast)
“We have to start at the bottom and the basket case that is the Eagles at the moment,” said Cornes.
“I’ve got Adam Simpson as the lowest paid coach. He’s still on a good figure.
“He’ll be remembered for that (winning the 2018 flag) and at one stage was an excellent coach, but just because you were good once it doesn’t mean you are good forever.
“He would be in the top three or four (highest paid coaches), I would have thought, but I’m going to pay him $450,000.”
17 - $500k - Alastair Clarkson (North Melbourne)
“He would be top three or four, but once again, just because you were great and perhaps the greatest ever, it doesn’t mean you are good forever.
“We’ve seen examples of that. Gregg Popovich at Spurs (in the NBA), Mick Malthouse, Bill Belichick (in the NFL).
“I think Clarkson has actually got a fair bit to prove. It’s a big year for ‘Clarko’. He needs to show us that he’s still got it.
“He hasn’t won a final since 2015.”
16 - $550k - Adem Yze (Richmond)
“Yze at 16. Doesn’t need to be any analysis around that, we just don’t know.
“I think it was a good appointment from the Tigers.”
15 - $600k - Matthew Nicks (Adelaide)
“There’s still a few questions.
“I like where he’s going, but I’d give him some incentives. If they qualify for finals there’s a bonus, etc etc.
“So he’s heavily incentivised.”
14 - $650k - Justin Longmuir (Fremantle)
“As is Justin Longmuir. I think he’s around the Nicks category at $650k.
“He is the 14th highest paid coach in the league.”
13 - $700k - Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)
“$700k for ‘Bevo’ and a big year ahead.
“He hasn’t been at his best, there’s no doubt about that. My criticism has been there.
“He’s got to carry himself the way you should as a coach and we can’t have any volatile blow-ups anymore.”
12 - $800k - Brad Scott (Essendon)
“Big job at the Bombers.
“Nice start but still a lot of work to be done. I think they’re on the right track and I think he’s the right man for the job.”
11 - $850k - Adam Kingsley (GWS)
“A really good start.
“Just need to see a little bit more.”
10 - $900k - Ken Hinkley (Port Adelaide)
“His win-loss record is really good, but the finals success hasn’t been there.
“It’s a big year for Ken.”
9 - $900k - Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)
“I’ve got Mitchell as the ninth highest paid coach.”
Read Cornes’ thoughts on Mitchell below:
WHY SAM MITCHELL COULD BE THE BEST COACH IN THE AFL
8 - $950k - Simon Goodwin (Melbourne)
“Premiership in 2021 but straight sets (in finals) last two seasons.
“Lots of questions about team discipline and culture, that’s the reason for a slightly discounted figure for ‘Goody’.
“There’s a few questions around the Dees this year and rightly so.”
7 - $950k - Chris Fagan (Brisbane)
“What a great job he’s done since he took over.
“They’ve won 16, 14, 15, 15 and 17 home and away games in the last five years, and were just a kick away from a flag.
“He’s well supported, he’s got a great playing list, and I think the footy department and assistant coaches have been rock solid for a long time.
“They need to be well paid as well so you’ve got to adjust with the soft cap and fitting everyone in.”
6 - $1m - Damien Hardwick (Gold Coast)
“Hardwick gets $1 million.
“If there is a cushy coaching job - and there isn’t - is it the cushiest job?
“Low expectations, stacked list, a soft draw, no one knows who you are as you’re walking down the street, you’re never in the paper.”
5 - $1m - Michael Voss (Carlton)
“Voss gets $1 million.
“A lot of pressure on the coach of the Blues.
“They make a lot of money, they can afford it and I think he’s deserving of that.”
4 - $1.1m - Craig McRae (Collingwood)
“At four with $1.1 million, but a very good football department and coaching structure.
“You’ve got to pay Brendon Bolton and Justin Leppitsch, you’ve got to pay their fitness staff…”
3 - $1.2m - Ross Lyon (St Kilda)
“Because he’s the fitness guy, he’s the medical guy, he’s the footy boss, he’s the coach, he’s the recruiter.
“He’s deserving of it. If it goes wrong, the only one responsible is Ross.”
2 - $1.2m - John Longmire (Sydney)
“Just a great coach.
“Cost of living is a bit higher in Sydney as well, so he needs that.
“He gives you a chance to be great every year.”
1 - $1.3m - Chris Scott (Geelong)
“He’s the best coach in the league, he’s worth every bit.
“Look at his record and the record says it all. Listen to him talk, his ability to attract great people and good players, look at the football program that is lauded.
“If Geelong aren’t going to pay him that, someone else will.”