The AFL coaches under pressure in 2025 after Longmire’s shock resignation

In the wake of John Longmire’s shock resignation as Sydney’s coach, two-time Adelaide premiership captain Mark Bickley has named the coaches he believes are under pressure in 2025.

While Longmire will move into a new role at Sydney as Executive Director - Club Performance for 2025, Bickley thinks that rival clubs will be considering the 2012 premiership coach as a potential option the following season if they can convince him to return to the caper.

“When a senior coach like John Longmire decides to step aside because he’s burnt out, I think all of us think that like Damien Hardwick, if he has some rest and recovery, he might at one stage in the future capture his passion to coach again,” Bickley told SEN SA Breakfast.

“That gets you thinking straight away - Which coaches are under pressure at the moment, and does this (Longmire’s exit) add any pressure?”

Bickley’s coaches under pressure in 2025

Simon Goodwin (Melbourne)

“All the stuff that’s happened at Melbourne and players wanting out … if they don’t get it right this year with the players they’ve got … then I think he’s going to be under a huge amount of pressure,” Bickley said.

Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)

“It’s a great list and he’s been there a long time. He has to deliver.”

Matthew Nicks (Adelaide)

“Five years in the job without finals at Adelaide. He’s under enormous pressure.”

Justin Longmuir (Fremantle)

“He will be under the pump because they should have played finals last year and they’ll need to see improvement this year.”

Ken Hinkley (Port Adelaide)

“He’ll be under pressure early in the season in particular to get his team up and about again.”

Brad Scott (Essendon)

“I’m just not sure where they’re at. This will be his third year. Can they win a final for the first time in two decades?”

Alastair Clarkson (North Melbourne)

“This will be his third season at North Melbourne. He hasn’t made any real inroads despite bringing in a lot of talent through the draft.”

Damien Hardwick (Gold Coast)

“He’s under some sort of pressure to have Gold Coast actually make finals.”

Michael Voss (Carlton)

“What about Michael Voss at Carlton? What if they don’t make the finals next year?”