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Late selection shock as Magpies veteran loses spot for winless GF rematch — LIVE

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It’s one of the biggest games of the season but not for the reason everyone expected as Collingwood and Brisbane, last year’s Grand Finalists, square off while winless to begin Round 3.

The Lions (0-2, 86.6%) are coming off the bye after a disappointing start to the year, losing in the west to Fremantle and coughing up a 46-point lead against Carlton in Opening Round, which was their first defeat at the Gabba in 18 months.

The Magpies (0-3, 74.2%) are trying to avoid becoming the second reigning premier in V/AFL history to sit 0-4. Only the Collingwood side of 1959 has done it before, though notably, that team recovered to play finals.

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The match gets underway at 7:30pm AEDT from the Gabba.

Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504) and streaming on Kayo from 6:30pm AEDT.

LIVE MATCH REPORT

After managing Steele Sidebottom at selection, Magpies coach Craig McRae made another surprising call by leaving veteran Jack Crip as the substitute, giving Fin Macrae his first start since late 2022.

Brisbane opted for young dasher Kai Lohmann.

Follow Brisbane v Collingwood in our live blog!

Live: Winless Lions and Pies meet for critical grand final rematch with a twist

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Darcy Moore and Harris Andrews
(Getty Images)

Good evening, and welcome to a game that we have been waiting all week, all season and all summer for. It’s Brisbane and Collingwood together again, locking horns for the first time since the magnificent 2023 grand final.

But there’s a twist. Instead of this being a rematch of two of the league’s hottest teams, it’s a D-Day battle between two on the brink of crisis. Neither Brisbane or Collingwood have won a game this season, and the loser of this game will — externally anyway — have their flag chances dismissed.

It’s going to feel like a final at the Gabba tonight, such are the stakes for this game. Don’t miss a minute with me in the blog, as we enjoy one of the biggest games of the season so far.

AFL Teams Round 3: Blues’ reinforcements arrive; triple Bombers boost but top-5 pick axed

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The Blues will welcome back key defenders Jacob Weitering and Caleb Marchbank for their Good Friday clash against North Melbourne, while former Sun Elijah Hollands will make his club debut.

The Bombers have been bolstered by the return of Darcy Parish, Mason Redman and Jake Kelly. Elijah Tsatas and Alwyn Davey Jnr have been omitted alongside Peter Wright, who is serving a four-match ban.

Ross Lyon has turned to rookie Anthony Caminiti to cover the loss of Max King who will serve a one-match ban, while pick 33 in last year’s national draft, Angus Hastie, will get his first taste of the big stage.

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Jordon Butts will miss his side’s encounter with Fremantle after failing to overcome an ankle injury, while Sam Berry has also been omitted. James Borlase and Lachie Sholl are their replacements.

Demons father-son Taj Woewodin replaces the injured Steven May.

Jack Macrae, Rory Lobb, Taylor Duryea, James O’Donnell and Riley Garcia have all been named on the extended bench for the Bulldogs, who have lost Nick Coffield and Ed Richards to injury.

Andrew Gaff, Harvey Johnston and Jack Williams have been named on the extended bench for the Eagles.

Nathan Broad returns for the Tigers, who have added a further four names – Tyler Sonsie, Sam Naismith, Maurice Rioli and Tylar Young to their extended bench for their clash against the Swans.

Robbie Fox, Caleb Mitchell, Aaron Francis, Peter Ladhams and Jacob Konstanty have all been named on the extended bench and are in the running to replace Harry Cunningham (injury) and Sam Wicks for the Swans.

Swans to post record win against Tigers? | 00:33

Earlier, Steele Sidebottom and Oleg Markov lost their spots in Craig McRae’s side for Collingwood’s must-win Easter Thursday Grand Final rematch.

McRae spoke of being “loyal” at selection on Tuesday, but Sidebottom’s indifferent form over the opening three games of the season saw him managed for the game against Brisbane.

It follows Tom Mitchell being managed for Round 1. Meanwhile cult favourite defender Markov was omitted for the clash at the Gabba.

John Noble forced his way back into the Magpies side after his Round 2 omission, while Will Hoskin-Elliott returned after being managed for the loss to the Saints.

Pre-season signing Lachie Sullivan came into the 26-man squad for the first time, named as an emergency.

Off a bye Brisbane made three changes, one forced with Conor McKenna missing the clash through a hamstring injury.

Darcy Gardiner was omitted, despite being declared available following knee scans required after his halftime substitution from the loss to Fremantle. Jarryd Lyons was also omitted.

Superstar midfielder Lachie Neale, key back Jack Payne and second ruck Darcy Fort came into the side.

The squads for Hawthorn vs Geelong on Easter Monday are yet to be announced.

ROUND 3 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEDT)

BRISBANE LIONS v COLLINGWOOD

Thursday March 28, 7:30pm at the Gabba

LIONS

B: B.Starcevich, J.Payne, R.Lester

HB: D.Wilmot, H.Andrews – C, N.Answerth

C: J.Fletcher, Z.Bailey, J.Berry

HF: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, H.McCluggage

F: C.Rayner, J.Daniher, D.Zorko

FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale

I/C: K.Lohmann, D.Robertson, C.Ah Chee, L.McCarthy, D.Fort

EMG: J.Lyons, J.Tunstill, D.Joyce

IN: J.Payne, L.Neale, D.Fort

OUT: D.Gardiner (Omitted), J.Lyons (Omitted), C.McKenna (Injured)

MAGPIES

B: B.Maynard, J.Howe, B.Frampton

HB: W.Hoskin-Elliott, I.Quaynor, D.Moore – C

C: N.Daicos, S.Pendlebury, J.Daicos

HF: P.Lipinski, L.Schultz, B.Mihocek

F: B.Hill, J.Elliott, B.McCreery

FOLL: M.Cox, J.De Goey, T.Mitchell

I/C: J.Noble, D.Cameron, F.Macrae, J.Crisp, R.McInnes

EMG: L.Sullivan, H.Harrison, O.Markov

IN: W.Hoskin-Elliott, J.Noble

OUT: O.Markov (Omitted), S.Sidebottom (Managed)

NORTH MELBOURNE v CARLTON

Friday March 29, 4:20pm at Marvel Stadium

KANGAROOS

B: L.McDonald – C, A.Corr, K.Dawson

HB: H.Sheezel, T.Pink, Z.Fisher

C: D.Stephens, L.Davies-Uniacke, C.McKercher

HF: C.Zurhaar, C.Coleman-Jones, C.Lazzaro

F: P.Curtis, N.Larkey, Z.Duursma

FOLL: T.Xerri, G.Wardlaw, J.Simpkin

I/C: D.Tucker, T.Powell, B.Scott, E.Ford, J.Stephenson

EMG: L.Shiels, B.Drury, H.Greenwood

No changes

BLUES

B: C.Marchbank, J.Weitering, Z.Williams

HB: A.Saad, M.McGovern, N.Newman

C: O.Hollands, P.Cripps – C, B.Acres

HF: M.Owies, H.McKay, M.Kennedy

F: E.Hollands, C.Curnow, L.Fogarty

FOLL: T.De Koning, A.Cerra, G.Hewett

I/C: J.Boyd, J.Carroll, M.Cottrell, O.Fantasia, C.Durdin

EMG: L.Young, M.Pittonet, J.Binns

IN: C.Marchbank, J.Weitering, E.Hollands

OUT: L.Young (Omitted), B.Kemp (Omitted), D.Cuningham (Injured)

FREMANTLE v ADELAIDE CROWS

Friday March 29, 7:30pm at Optus Stadium

DOCKERS

B: J.Aish, A.Pearce – C, J.Draper

HB: E.Hughes, L.Ryan, J.Clark

C: M.Johnson, N.Fyfe, H.Young

HF: M.Taberner, J.Treacy, S.Switkowski

F: T.Emmett, J.Amiss, M.Walters

FOLL: L.Jackson, C.Serong, A.Brayshaw

I/C: M.Frederick, J.Sharp, B.Banfield, J.O’Meara, B.Walker

EMG: C.Simpson, P.Voss, L.Reidy

No changes

CROWS

B: J.Worrell, J.Borlase, B.Smith

HB: M.Hinge, M.Keane, M.Michalanney

C: L.Sholl, J.Dawson – C, C.Jones

HF: J.Soligo, I.Rankine, J.Rachele

F: L.Pedlar, D.Fogarty, T.Walker

FOLL: R.O’Brien, R.Laird, M.Crouch

I/C: C.Burgess, B.Keays, L.Murphy, W.Milera, N.McHenry

EMG: L.Nankervis, S.Berry, E.Himmelberg

IN: J.Borlase, L.Sholl

OUT: S.Berry (Omitted), J.Butts (Injured)

ESSENDON v ST KILDA

Saturday March 30, 4:20pm at Marvel Stadium

BOMBERS

B: D.Heppell, B.McKay, N.Hind

HB: N.Martin, M.Redman, A.McGrath

C: X.Duursma, D.Parish, J.Kelly

HF: A.Perkins, K.Langford, J.Caldwell

F: J.Gresham, J.Stringer, B.Hobbs

FOLL: T.Goldstein, W.Setterfield, Z.Merrett – C

I/C: S.Draper, N.Cox, J.Laverde, S.Durham, J.Menzie

EMG: E.Tsatas, H.Jones, A.Davey Jnr

IN: M.Redman, D.Parish, J.Kelly

OUT: E.Tsatas (Omitted), P.Wright (Suspension), A.Davey Jnr (Omitted)

SAINTS

B: J.Battle, Z.Cordy, C.Wilkie

HB: R.Bonner, J.Sinclair, N.Wanganeen-Milera

C: R.Byrnes, S.Ross, B.Hill

HF: J.Higgins, D.Butler, M.Owens

F: D.Wilson, A.Caminiti, T.Membrey

FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Steele – C, M.Windhager

I/C: Z.Jones, L.Stocker, A.Hastie, M.Phillipou, C.Sharman

EMG: A.Schoenmaker, H.Garcia, T.Campbell

IN: D.Butler, A.Caminiti, A.Hastie

OUT: M.Wood (Injured), L.Henry (Injured), M.King (Suspension)

PORT ADELAIDE v MELBOURNE

Saturday March 30, 7:30pm at Adelaide Oval

POWER

B: R.Burton, E.Ratugolea, B.Zerk-Thatcher

HB: L.Jones, A.Aliir, D.Houston

C: M.Bergman, W.Drew, T.Boak

HF: D.Byrne-Jones, T.Marshall, C.Rozee – C

F: J.Finlayson, C.Dixon, W.Rioli

FOLL: I.Soldo, O.Wines, Z.Butters

I/C: K.Farrell, J.Mead, J.Burgoyne, F.Evans, J.McEntee

EMG: D.Williams, D.Visentini, T.McKenzie

IN: J.McEntee

OUT: D.Williams (Omitted)

DEMONS

B: J.McVee, J.Lever, B.Howes

HB: T.Rivers, T.McDonald, C.Salem

C: E.Langdon, C.Petracca, C.Windsor

HF: T.Sparrow, B.Fritsch, K.Pickett

F: A.Neal-Bullen, J.van Rooyen, K.Chandler

FOLL: M.Gawn – C, J.Viney, C.Oliver

I/C: J.Billings, M.Hore, H.Petty, T.Woewodin, B.Brown

EMG: B.Laurie, A.Tomlinson, T.Fullarton

IN: T.Woewodin

OUT: S.May (Injured)

WESTERN BULLDOGS v WEST COAST EAGLES

Sunday March 31, 1pm at Marvel Stadium

BULLDOGS

B: B.Dale, L.Jones, B.Williams

HB: L.Bramble, B.Khamis, J.Johannisen

C: H.Gallagher, A.Treloar, O.Baker

HF: R.Sanders, A.Naughton, C.Weightman

F: R.West, J.Ugle-Hagan, L.Vandermeer

FOLL: T.English, M.Bontempelli – C, T.Liberatore

I/C (FROM): C.Daniel, S.Darcy, T.Duryea, R.Garcia, R.Lobb, J.O’Donnell, C.Poulter

IN: T.Duryea, R.Garcia, R.Lobb, J.Macrae, J.O’Donnell

OUT: N.Coffield (Injured), E.Richards (Injured)

EAGLES

B: C.Jamieson, T.Barrass, T.Cole

HB: B.Hough, J.McGovern, J.Jones

C: L.Duggan – C, T.Kelly, J.Hunt

HF: H.Reid, J.Waterman, N.Long

F: J.Petruccelle, J.Darling, J.Cripps

FOLL: B.Williams, E.Yeo, R.Ginbey

I/C (FROM): A.Gaff, T.Brockman, L.Edwards, C.Chesser, H.Johnston, J.Williams, R.Maric

IN: A.Gaff, H.Johnston, J.Williams

OUT: Nil

RICHMOND v SYDNEY SWANS

Sunday March 31, 4pm at the MCG

TIGERS

B: D.Grimes, N.Broad, N.Vlastuin

HB: J.Short, T.Brown, D.Rioli

C: K.McIntosh, T.Taranto, M.Pickett

HF: S.Campbell, S.Bolton, R.Mansell

F: N.Balta, D.Martin, T.Lynch

FOLL: T.Nankervis – C, J.Ross, L.Baker

I/C (FROM): T.Sonsie, T.Dow, S.Banks, M.Rioli, M.Lefau, B.Miller, T.Young

IN: N.Broad, T.Sonsie, M.Rioli, S.Naismith, T.Young

OUT: J.Trezise (Injured), J.Clarke (Omitted)

SWANS

B: D.Rampe – C, T.McCartin, N.Blakey

HB: O.Florent, L.Melican, J.Lloyd

C: J.McInerney, Ch.Warner, E.Gulden

HF: H.McLean, L.McDonald, J.Jordon

F: W.Hayward, J.Amartey, T.Papley

FOLL: B.Grundy, I.Heeney, J.Rowbottom

I/C (FROM): M.Roberts, R.Fox, B.Campbell, Co.Warner, C.Mitchell, J.Konstanty, A.Francis

IN: R.Fox, C.Mitchell, P.Ladhams, J.Konstanty, A.Francis

OUT: H.Cunningham (Injured), S.Wicks (Omitted)

HAWTHORN v GEELONG

Monday April 1, 3:20pm at the MCG

HAWKS

tbc

CATS

tbc

TEAMS: Gun Blue back, Dees’ Lever call, star Bomber returns

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Jacob Weitering, Jake Lever and Darcy Parish. Pictures: AFL Photos

CARLTON’S All-Australian defender Jacob Weitering will play his first game of the season, Melbourne has named sore backman Jake Lever and Essendon welcomes back key pair Darcy Parish and Mason Redman

Western Bulldogs ball-magnet Jack Macrae is in the mix to make his 2024 debut, having been named on the extended bench for Sunday’s clash with West Coast, while St Kilda has added zippy forward Dan Butler and young tall Anthony Caminiti

>> KEEP SCROLLING OR CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL TEAMS AND EMERGENCIES

The big selection news is at Ikon Park, where the Blues have named Weitering alongside fellow key back Caleb Marchbank, while former Sun Elijah Hollands will make his club debut after serving a two-match illicit drugs ban. 

Lewis Young and Brodie Kemp make way in defence ahead of the clash against an unchanged North Melbourne on Good Friday. 

Fremantle also goes in unchanged against Adelaide later on Friday, but the Crows have lost tall defender Jordon Butts to an ankle injury, while Lachie Sholl replaces Sam Berry in midfield. 

Key pair Redman and Parish will bolster a Dons line-up looking to inflict St Kilda’s second loss of the season, with second-year midfielder Elijah Tsatas and forward Alwyn Davey jnr omitted against the Saints. 

St Kilda pair Caminiti and Butler will be joined in the side by debutant Angus Hastie, a first-year medium defender from the Geelong Falcons. 

Melbourne has picked Lever (knee) to face Port Adelaide after scans cleared the star interceptor of any structural damage, while first-round sub Taj Woewodin comes into the 23 in place of Steven May (ribs). 

Jake Lever receives some treatment during Melbourne’s game against Hawthorn in R2, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

The Power have recalled pressure forward Jed McEntee in place of utility Dylan Williams

In Sunday teams news, Macrae is in the Bulldogs squad for the first time this season after building form and fitness in the VFL, while West Coast has named veteran Andrew Gaff in its extended squad. 

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Defender Nathan Broad will return from a calf injury in Richmond’s clash against Sydney and key tall Tylar Young is in the mix to return from concussion suffered in round one.

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

North Melbourne v Carlton at Marvel Stadium, 4.20pm AEDT

NORTH MELBOURNE

In: Nil
Out:
Nil

Last week’s sub: Eddie Ford

CARLTON

In: C.Marchbank, J.Weitering, E.Hollands
Out:
L.Young (omitted), B.Kemp (omitted), D.Cuningham (calf)

R1 sub: Corey Durdin

Fremantle v Adelaide at Optus Stadium, 4.30pm AWST

FREMANTLE

In: Nil
Out:
Nil

Last week’s sub: Jaeger O’Meara

ADELAIDE

In: J.Borlase, L.Sholl
Out:
S.Berry (omitted), J.Butts (ankle)

Last week’s sub: Ned McHenry

SATURDAY, MARCH 30

Essendon v St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, 4.20pm AEDT

ESSENDON

In: M.Redman, D.Parish, J.Kelly
Out:
E.Tsatas (omitted), P.Wright (suspension), A.Davey jnr (omitted)

Last week’s sub: Alwyn Davey jnr

ST KILDA

In: D.Butler, A.Caminiti, A.Hastie
Out:
M.Wood (collarbone/concussion), L.Henry (hamstring), M.King (suspension)

Last week’s sub: Zak Jones

Port Adelaide v Melbourne at Adelaide Oval, 7pm ACDT

PORT ADELAIDE

In: J.McEntee
Out:
D.Williams (omitted)

Last week’s sub: Dylan Williams

MELBOURNE

In: T.Woewodin
Out:
S.May (ribs)

Last week’s sub: Marty Hore

SUNDAY, MARCH 31

Western Bulldogs v West Coast at Marvel Stadium, 1pm AEDT

WESTERN BULLDOGS

In: T.Duryea, R.Garcia, R.Lobb, J.Macrae, J.O’Donnell
Out:
N.Coffield (shoulder), E.Richards (concussion)

Last week’s sub: Oskar Baker

WEST COAST

In: A.Gaff, H.Johnston, J.Williams
Out:
Nil

Last week’s sub: Ryan Maric

Richmond v Sydney at the MCG, 4pm AEDT

RICHMOND

In: N.Broad, T.Sonsie, M.Rioli, S.Naismith, T.Young
Out:
J.Trezise (ankle), J.Clarke (omitted)

Last week’s sub: Judson Clarke

SYDNEY

In: R.Fox, C.Mitchell, P.Ladhams, J.Konstanty, A.Francis
Out:
H.Cunningham (concussion), S.Wicks (omitted)

Last week’s sub: Corey Warner

MONDAY, APRIL 1

Hawthorn v Geelong at the MCG, 3.20pm AEDT

HAWTHORN

TBC on Sunday at 6.20pm AEDT

Last week’s sub: Jack Gunston 

GEELONG

TBC on Sunday at 6.20pm AEDT

Last week’s sub: Mitch Knevitt

TEAMS | Blues and Bombers bolstered, veteran Dog recalled for Easter weekend

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The teams are in and there are some big moves across the board ahead of the Easter weekend.

Carlton has been bolstered by the returning Jacob Weitering, while Elijah Hollands will play his first game for the club.

Jack Macrae has been named for the Dogs after three games in the VFL and a particularly dominant performance last weekend.

The Bombers get back Darcy Parish and Mason Redman, though they lose Peter Wright to suspension. Obviously the Saints lose Max King as well for the big clash.

See all the teams below:

Brisbane v Collingwood

Brisbane

IN: J. Payne, L. Neale, D. Fort

OUT: D. Gardiner, J. Lyons, C. McKenna

Collingwood

IN: W. Hoskin-Elliott, J. Noble

OUT: O. Markov, S. Sidebottom

North Melbourne v Carlton

North Melbourne

NO CHANGE

Carlton

IN: C.Marchbank, J.Weitering, E.Hollands

OUT: L.Young (Omitted), B.Kemp (Omitted), D.Cuningham (Injured)

Fremantle v Adelaide

Fremantle

UNCHANGED

Adelaide

IN: J.Borlase, L.Sholl

OUT: S.Berry (Omitted), J.Butts (Injured)

Essendon v St Kilda

Essendon

IN: M.Redman, D.Parish, J.Kelly

OUT: E.Tsatas (Omitted), P.Wright (Suspension), A.Davey Jnr (Omitted)

St Kilda

IN: D.Butler, A.Caminiti, A.Hastie

OUT: M.Wood (Injured), L.Henry (Injured), M.King (Suspension)

SENsync 728x90-DW

Port Adelaide v Melbourne

Port Adelaide

IN: J.McEntee

OUT: D.Williams (Omitted)

Melbourne

IN: T.Woewodin

OUT: S.May (Injured)

Western Bulldogs v West Coast

Western Bulldogs

IN: T.Duryea, R.Garcia, R.Lobb, J.Macrae, J.O'Donnell

OUT: N.Coffield (Injured), E.Richards (Injured)

West Coast

IN: A.Gaff, H.Johnston, J.Williams

OUT: Nil

Richmond v Sydney

Richmond

IN: N.Broad, T.Sonsie, M.Rioli, S.Naismith, T.Young

OUT: J.Trezise (Injured), J.Clarke (Omitted)

Sydney

IN: R.Fox, C.Mitchell, P.Ladhams, J.Konstanty, A.Francis

OUT: H.Cunningham (Injured), S.Wicks (Omitted)

Hawthorn v Geelong

TBD

Tale of two contracts: How JL, Nicks deals are shaping their seasons

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Justin Longmuir and Matthew Nicks. Picture: AFL Photos

THE START of the 2024 season has shown how quickly and dramatically external coaching narratives can shift and how clubs are increasingly opting for clarity, rather than fanning the flames of uncertainty in the cut-throat world of modern coaching.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir and Adelaide’s Matthew Nicks, whose teams meet at Optus Stadium on Friday night, are the most recent two senior coaches to have their contracts extended beyond 2024, with each signing a new deal in the past fortnight.

Both men are coaches of young teams who face an increasing expectation to become regular finalists and, in the Dockers’ case, returning finalists after the club spiked in 2022 and won an elimination final.

The announcements were met with different external reactions, with Longmuir’s one-year extension for 2025 criticised, while Nicks’ deal to the end of 2026 was widely viewed as a formality.

The reason for this is likely the narrative of external pressure that had built around Longmuir and Fremantle during the pre-season, despite the Dockers themselves growing increasingly confident that they were ready to rebound after a lacklustre 12 months.

After Fremantle officials had noted issues with their ability to handle expectations, adjusting to new player leadership, a young list profile, and the loss of important staff and players during a 10-win 2023, the pressure narrative that built outside the club was never mirrored internally, according to sources, with the Dockers board confident for some time that it had the right coach.

Justin Longmuir during Fremantle’s official team photo day at Cockburn ARC on January 16, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

The Dockers’ 2-0 start to 2024, with comeback wins full of character against Brisbane and North Melbourne, suggests their instincts were right and signing the coach before round one has allowed him to do the job to the best of his ability. The unbeaten start has also silenced the doubters – at least for now.

At Adelaide, there was far from the same level of external scrutiny leading into 2024 as Nicks and the Crows worked through a new deal.

Like Fremantle, the Crows were long confident that they had the right coach to see through the next stage of their build, and believed that announcing the extension when they did would also give Nicks the best chance to succeed.

Matthew Nicks with Adelaide players during their 2024 team photo day at West Lakes. Picture: AFL Photos

Unlike Fremantle, however, the Crows have had a disappointing start to the season and will enter Friday night 0-2, meaning the club’s decision to re-sign its coach is only now coming under much public scrutiny.

With games against Melbourne, Carlton and Essendon to come after this weekend, the Crows will be desperate to see a return on their investment soon, and will no doubt argue the stability the new contract has given Nicks is more important than ever as he looks to right the ship.

AFL Coaches Association boss Alistair Nicholson uses Carlton and its coach Michael Voss in 2023 as an example of why the stability of a contract is so crucial. With four wins and a draw from 13 rounds last year, there were calls for Carlton to part ways with Voss after just one-and-a-half seasons. But with a contract already in place for the following season, he led the club to nine straight wins and a preliminary final against Brisbane, falling 16 points short of what would have been the the Blues’ first Grand Final appearance since 1999.

“Where there can be some stability and a decrease in speculation for a senior coach, that is really important to let them get on with what they’re doing. Because it is a really tough role the way that the competition is structured,” Nicholson told AFL.com.au this week.

“The competition is really equal, and teams are going to be going up and down at different stages of the year.

“If we look at Michael Voss last year, the speculation on him early in the season, and then how they went through to a preliminary final, shows how a team’s fortunes can go up and down through a season.

“So, the ability for those clubs to secure their coaches allows them to get on with what they’re doing, and that’s really important.”

The alternative strategy was put forward by Port Adelaide last season, when Ken Hinkley and the club agreed to delay any contract talks until August as the Power looked to respond after a disappointing 2022. It was a unique case that worked for Port and Hinkley as they finished in the top four, although the coach’s deep roots at the club that stretch back more than a decade meant he naturally had more stability in the role compared to relative newcomers  Voss, Longmuir and Nicks.

Regardless, chairman David Koch still acknowledged the value of stability when announcing the coach’s new deal.

“We believe confirming Ken’s contract extension now provides our football program with confidence and certainty heading into an exciting finals campaign,” he said at the time.

Ken Hinkley chats to his team during the AAMI Community Series match between Port Adelaide and Fremantle at Alberton Oval on March 1, 2024. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

Nevertheless, the Hinkley case stands as an outlier in recent years. Even clubs that have had acrimonious splits with their coaches in recent seasons, like Gold Coast with Stuart Dew and St Kilda with Brett Ratten, did so not long after agreeing to terms on a new deal.

The Longmuir and Nicks extensions have left all 18 coaches with deals beyond 2024 in a period of potential stability following multiple senior coach changes in each of the past three seasons, including four in 2022.

While not at the level coaches would ideally like, the landscape has also adjusted to allow them to negotiate for more security in new contracts after the AFL expanded its guidelines around payout clauses as part of wider soft-cap changes late last year.

While previous guidelines stipulated six-month payouts for coaches at clubs who were reliant on AFL funding, coaches can now negotiate 12-month payout clauses or longer. Similar clauses for assistant and development coaches have been expanded from one-to-three months up to six months.

It is a change Longmuir hinted at when explaining how his one-year extension offered more security given he had also re-negotiated his 2024 terms with the club.

“You can go beyond 12 months, but you then need to work through that with the AFL. It’s a guideline,” Nicholson said of the payout clauses.

“So, there’s an ability for clubs if they choose to have a bit more flexibility with those clauses to give a little bit more stability for coaches.

“That will take some time to filter through the industry, but that was something that was seen as really impacting the mental health and health of coaches.

“Clubs are looking at the person and the overall culture they want, rather than just the shortest clause from a financial point of view.”

Fremantle and Adelaide each made the decision that they had the right person in charge and the right culture building.

While their coaches’ contracts have both been questioned at different times, and the jury remains out just two games into the new season, both clubs clearly believe stability rather than uncertainty is the best way to achieve success.