It’s arguably the most unforgiving job in all of Australian sports.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With only 18 senior coaching positions available in the AFL at any given time, those fortunate enough to be leading an AFL side carry enormous pressure into almost every season.<\/p>\n
Last year Simon Goodwin was the only unlucky man forced to pack his bags, but with a number of sides entering 2026 at an important time in their club’s build, there could be a few more coaches holding their heads in shame at a mid-season press conference.<\/p>\n
The Sporting News\u00a0looks at which AFL coaches could be on the hot seat in 2026.<\/p>\n
MORE:\u00a0AFL State of Origin squads: Victoria and WA team lists for 2026 match<\/a><\/p>\n Michael Voss<\/p>\n For the second year in a row, the Michael Voss’ future at Carlton shapes as the dominating storyline for 2026 (unless another star asks out).<\/p>\n After getting the Blues<\/a> back to the finals in back-to-back years, Voss’ side took a sharp decline in 2025, with most of their season proving rather inconsequential as they missed the top eight by six wins.<\/p>\n In August, Carlton’s board met to discuss Voss’ future, although the former Brownlow medallist held onto his job, with the club deciding to let him see out his contract, which expires at the end of next season.<\/p>\n Despite losing powerhouse forward Charlie Curnow in the off-season, the Blues are still stacked with talent all over the ground, while adding some reinforcements in the trade period.<\/p>\n If Carlton don’t feature in September in 2026, it’s hard to see Voss earning another contract to remain at Ikon Park.<\/p>\n Justin Longmuir\u00a0<\/p>\n Many expect Fremantle to continue where they left off in 2025, but as it often is, the weight of expectation can be the downfall of any senior coach.<\/p>\n After a slow start to 2025, the Dockers played some sensational football down the stretch to cement themselves as genuine premiership contenders moving forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, the last time the Dockers featured in September 2022, they immediately fell out of the eight, a series of events Justin Longmuir cannot afford given the quality of Fremantle’s list.<\/p>\n Longmuir has a unique agreement with Fremantle, with the 44-year-old having an “ongoing employment agreement” with the club as opposed to a fixed-term contract.\u00a0<\/p>\n When the deal was agreed to though, the language out of the Dockers was that he was the man for “2026 and beyond.” Another underwhelming year from Fremantle would sure test that theory, though.<\/p>\n Alastair Clarkson<\/p>\n Alastair Clarkson was more or less hailed as the saviour when he arrived at North Melbourne<\/a> in 2022. But after three years at the helm so far, you can’t blame someone for wondering what has changed under his direction.<\/p>\n The Kangaroos have continued to lift up the ladder alongside West Coast<\/a>, and while a 5-17-1 record was technically an improvement in 2025, with the amount of young talent they have added, North fans would surely have been hoping for a little bit more.<\/p>\n Of course, Clarkson hasn’t had the best run at it since arriving at Arden Street, taking time off in 2023 at the forefront of that.<\/p>\n But if 2026 produces another season with a win total you can count on one hand, the Roos will surely have to discuss whether or not the 57-year-old sees out his contract in 2027.<\/p>\n Ross Lyon<\/p>\n