Dwayne Russell's 2025 AFL head coach pressure meter

SEN’s Dwayne Russell has ranked the seven coaches he thinks are most under pressure heading into the 2025 season.

Russell’s pressure meter ranks the coaches from 1-7, with number one the coach most feeling the heat ahead of next season.

Check out Russell’s pressure meter below.

1. Matthew Nicks (Adelaide)          

“I've got Matthew Nicks at number one,” Russell said.

“Let alone no flags, he’s made no finals in five years.

“He's about to enter year six. If you don't make finals after six years, then you’ve got to start looking at whether you got the right guy.

“So. I think Matthew Nicks is number one on the pressure meter heading into next year.”

2. Justin Longmuir (Fremantle)               

“I have Justin Longmuir too because he hasn't won a flag either.

“He's been at the helm for a while and you know, Fremantle is one of those clubs … they’ve never won a flag and it’s really hard now in an 18-team comp.

“You don't want to be one of those clubs that’s never won one.

“I think Justin Longmuir has the cattle at his disposal that he could win one in the next two years.

“So, I think there's a bit of pressure on Justin to get that job done or at least get them to another Grand Final.”

3. Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)             

“Luke Beveridge is the obvious number three, but he'll get another job in a heartbeat …he'll walk into another job 10 minutes after he leaves the Dogs.

“So, I don't think he's under as much pressure as Matthew Nicks and Justin Longmuir.”

4. Ken Hinkley (Port Adelaide)             

“I've got the obvious at number four, Ken Hinkley.

“I think most people are of the belief that Ken Hinkley has more runs on the board than Nicks and Longmuir.

“He's cheated death three times in a row as a coach so I think he will also walk in another job.”

5. Michael Voss (Carlton)          

“I've got Michael Voss at five.

“Carlton might claim to be the biggest club in the land … but I don't think you can be the biggest club in the land unless you win one in the recent decade at least.

“Carlton haven't done that, and that's why I think Voss is under a bit of pressure.

“The expectations are really, really high on Voss.”

6. Simon Goodwin (Melbourne)               

“I've got Voss at five ahead of Goodwin at six because I think Simon Goodwin will walk into another job the moment if he is forced to leave the Dees.”

7. Brad Scott (Essendon)             

“I think Brad Scott is under a bit of pressure.

“Essendon had claims on being a premiership contender in the last two years and then faltered.

“I think there is a bit of pressure on Brad Scott to make them great this coming season.”