{"id":810949,"date":"2026-07-19T21:46:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T21:46:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/810949\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T21:46:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T21:46:19","slug":"afl-2026-round-19-talking-points","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/810949\/","title":{"rendered":"AFL 2026, Round 19 Talking Points"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are two clear contenders for the AFL Coach of the Year, but a man inside the bottom four should join them on the podium.<\/p>\n

Plus the undersold Magpie keeping them ticking, the latest on Tasmania\u2019s trade targets and much more as the big issues from Round 19 are analysed in Foxfooty.com.au\u2019sTalking Points!<\/p>\n

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See the AFL Talking Points out of Round 19.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n

THE SIX-WIN COACH WHO\u2019S ONE OF 2026\u2019S BEST<\/p>\n

A Coach of the Year award, in any sport, rarely goes to the best coach. Instead it\u2019s about expectations.<\/p>\n

Geelong coach Chris Scott is widely regarded as one of the coaches in the AFL, if not the best. But he has never won the AFL Coaches Association\u2019s top gong – primarily because the Cats are always expected to be good.<\/p>\n

For example, you\u2019d think Scott would\u2019ve been Coach of the Year in 2022, when the Cats won 16 straight games on route to the premiership – including the preliminary and grand finals by a combined 152 points.<\/p>\n

But instead, Craig McRae was voted by his peers as the year\u2019s best coach after guiding the Magpies from the bottom two to a prelim. He overachieved by the most. (The award was determined pre-Grand Final.)<\/p>\n

In the 18-team era, more coaches have won the award while finishing in the bottom half of the eight than by actually winning the flag or finishing on top of the ladder. Wins don\u2019t matter – wins above expectation matter.<\/p>\n

AFLCA Coach of the Year winner<\/p>\n

2024 and 2025 – Chris Fagan (Brisbane Lions)*<\/p>\n

2023 – Adam Kingsley (GWS Giants)<\/p>\n

2022 – Craig McRae (Collingwood)<\/p>\n

2021 – Simon Goodwin (Melbourne)*^<\/p>\n

2020 – Ken Hinkley (Port Adelaide)^<\/p>\n

2019 – Chris Fagan (Brisbane Lions)<\/p>\n

2018 – Nathan Buckley (Collingwood)<\/p>\n

2017 – Damien Hardwick (Richmond)*<\/p>\n

2015 and 2016* – Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)<\/p>\n

2014 – John Longmire (Sydney Swans)^<\/p>\n

2013 – Ken Hinkley (Port Adelaide)<\/p>\n

2012 – John Longmire (Sydney Swans)*<\/p>\n

2011 – John Worsfold (West Coast Eagles)<\/p>\n

* = premiers<\/p>\n

^ = minor premiers<\/p>\n

Hinkley to coach Tasmania Devils | 05:39<\/p>\n

There are two leading contenders in 2026:<\/p>\n

– Fremantle\u2019s Justin Longmuir, who has finally unlocked his list\u2019s potential and has the men in purple as premiership favourites. He would be a Fagan, Goodwin or Hinkley-type winner;<\/p>\n

– Melbourne\u2019s Steven King, who has turned a bottom-six side that lost two superstar midfielders into a dark horse top-four threat. He would be a Kingsley, McRae or Buckley-type winner.<\/p>\n

It\u2019d be a shock if anyone else beat Longmuir or King to the crown, but the race for third place is a bit trickier.<\/p>\n

Maybe it\u2019s Dean Cox, with his Swans sitting second? But they\u2019ve been quite disappointing against fellow contenders. Maybe Luke Beveridge, for keeping his Bulldogs in the finals race despite a horror run of injuries?<\/p>\n

We think the third-best coach in the AFL this year currently sits in the bottom four. And while West Coast\u2019s Andrew McQualter has done an admirable job getting the Eagles going again, we\u2019re not talking about him.<\/p>\n

While Port Adelaide may end up going backwards from Ken Hinkley\u2019s final season, when they finished 13th with a record of 9-14, the growth in the Power\u2019s percentage shows just how much better they are in Josh Carr\u2019s first full year in charge.<\/p>\n

The Power have a percentage of 99.3 – almost a full 20 points ahead of last year\u2019s 79.8 – showing just how competitive they\u2019ve been in 2026.<\/p>\n

Any expert worth their salt knows percentage is a better indicator than the win-loss record, and if you\u2019re saying Carr has done a bad job because they\u2019ve only won six games, you\u2019re simply exposing yourself.<\/p>\n

HORROR MISS! Cox’s point blank blunder | 00:26<\/p>\n

The Power have lost a ridiculous five games by three points or less; with some better luck, they would be in the wildcard race right now. But they also have rarely played a bad game.<\/p>\n

Their worst performances were very early in the year – going down to North Melbourne by 46 points back in Round 1, then losing to West Coast at home in Round 3. Since then they\u2019ve been in basically every game, except the surprising loss at home to Carlton in Round 11, which came off a tiring defeat in Darwin.<\/p>\n

They\u2019ve beaten Geelong and Adelaide – giving them a better resume than St Kilda or Carlton – while they\u2019ve narrowly lost to Sydney, Hawthorn, the Bulldogs and Adelaide (in one of the greatest Showdown endings ever).<\/p>\n

Just look at this past Saturday, where the Power led flag favourites Fremantle at halftime despite one of the weakest midfields any team has sent out all season – Ollie Wines (who is well past his best), Willem Drew (a solid defensive midfielder but not a star) and Joe Richards (a small forward).<\/p>\n

The Power have been outstanding defensively, heading into Round 9 sitting third for points against, first for limiting defensive 50 to inside 50 transitions and third for preventing scores from intercepts. And they\u2019ve done it with limited personnel, including Connor Rozee missing most of the year, Miles Bergman playing about half the season, and Zak Butters going down recently.<\/p>\n

And keep in mind that being impressive without actually winning is kinda the ideal result for Port Adelaide right now, given they want high-end draft picks to replenish the list and ensure they can match early bids across the 2026 and 2027 drafts – beginning with this year\u2019s top prospect Dougie Cochrane.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s done an outstanding job,\u201d Carr\u2019s old boss and future Tasmania coach Ken Hinkley said on SEN last week.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe succession plan doesn\u2019t look too bad now, does it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dogs cash in on Trac’s nightmare blunder | 00:37<\/p>\n

UNLIKELY HERO\u2019S \u2018UNBELIEVABLE\u2019 RUN IN PIES \u2018LICORICE-ALL-SORTS\u2019 FORWARD LINE<\/p>\n

The emergence of some of Collingwood\u2019s younger players has been a good story in its five-game winning streak.<\/p>\n

At the other end of the spectrum, a veteran is in some of the best form of his career … despite not having a contract for 2027.<\/p>\n

Tim Membrey has been instrumental for Collingwood over its winning run in a strong stretch from the 32-year old and his best in black and white stripes.<\/p>\n

Membrey has booted 14 goals from the last five games \u2014 including the match winner against North Melbourne \u2014 to take his season tally to 25 <\/p>\n

He\u2019s formed a good tandem with Dan McStay; they\u2019ve combined for 56 majors this season as Collingwood\u2019s two leading goalkickers.<\/p>\n

McKay’s night is over after knee injury | 00:24<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been crucial for a Collingwood\u2019s \u201clicorice-all-sorts\u201d forward line, as put by Craig McRae<\/a>, that earlier this season struggled to put winning scores on the board.<\/p>\n

And has been missing the likes of Jamie Elliott, Bobby Hill and Lachie Schultz in addition to Brody Mihocek\u2019s departure.<\/p>\n

Membrey has done his part, with the ex-Saint on track for his best goalkicking season since 2019, while he currently ranks top 10 in the AFL in marks inside 50 per game in 2026.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t inconceivable to think Collingwood could\u2019ve moved past him this year.<\/p>\n

Instead, Membrey has been an unlikely hero for a Magpies side that\u2019s still clearly crying out for a star key forward. <\/p>\n

It comes after the sharpshooter kicked 32 goals last season in his first in black and white as a solid addition to McRae\u2019s side. <\/p>\n

And with Max King sidelined the last two seasons, fair to say the Saints sure could\u2019ve used a reliable option in attack like Membrey.<\/p>\n

Magpies make it five straight wins | 02:58<\/p>\n

Yet Membrey still remains unsigned beyond this year along with fellow Pies veterans Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s been plenty of chatter around the future of those Collingwood champs, and rightfully so, given their status.<\/p>\n

However, Membrey arguably has the strongest claim of the lot to earn a new deal, given his recent form and with how Collingwood needs his firepower in attack. <\/p>\n

Josh Daicos is sure enjoying Membrey\u2019s work and hopes to see him earn a contract extension.<\/p>\n

\u201cLove playing with him. He\u2019s in some sort of form right now in this little purple patch,\u201d Daicos told Fox Footy after Collingwood\u2019s win over Carlton.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t miss, he kicked the big goal last week. And a lot of times we\u2019re not kicking it to his advantage, but he\u2019ll bring it to ground and competes when he\u2019s outnumbered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really want him to get another year, because he deserves it. He\u2019s playing unbelievable football right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Rules for some, rules for others” | 00:36<\/p>\n

SAINTS URGED TO STAMP OUT \u2018SELFISH\u2019 HABITS BEFORE STAR\u2019S LONG-AWAITED RETURN<\/p>\n

St Kilda has been urged to ditch its \u201cselfish\u201d habits in attack before the long-awaited return of spearhead Max King, with three-time Richmond premiership player Jack Riewoldt warning the club can\u2019t simply expect the former No. 4 draft pick to ride to the rescue after almost two years sidelined from the top level.<\/p>\n

The Saints\u2019 forward connection again came under the microscope during last Thursday night\u2019s 27-point loss to Geelong,<\/a> with two-time All-Australian David King questioning a group too willing to take low-percentage shots rather than bring teammates into the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think they do have to address that they\u2019re all prepared to have a shot. It can be considered a selfish forward line at St Kilda,\u201d King told Fox Footy during the final quarter.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll take the shot from anywhere, and there\u2019s times where that ball just has to go 15 (metres) from goal in the corridor, and you give your key playmakers a secondary look.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s got to be addressed. The goal assist is as good as a goal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riewoldt added: \u201cI think you\u2019ve hit the nail on the head. They\u2019re a group, especially forward of the ball, that place value in kicking goals rather than setting them up.\u201d<\/p>\n

King, who Saints coach Ross Lyon confirmed post-match will return against Melbourne on Sunday, has endured a horror run with injury that has left St Kilda\u2019s forward line searching for a focal point in his absence.<\/p>\n

A two-time leading goalkicker at the club in 2021 and 2022, the 26-year-old\u2019s absence has thrust Cooper Sharman and Anthony Caminiti into greater responsibility as key forwards, while ruck duo Tom De Koning and Rowan Marshall have also spent extended periods inside 50.<\/p>\n

Anthony Caminiti (left) and Max King (right) compete for a mark during a St Kilda training at RSEA Park on April 30, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia (Photo by Quinn Rooney\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

In David King\u2019s eyes, however, the spearhead could prove the missing piece as the Saints chase an unlikely wildcard berth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pieces are all there individually; they\u2019ve just got to come together collectively. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s that far away,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMax King makes a big difference in the forward half, and you filter down from there. They take key responsibilities, these big playmakers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt minimum, he changes every match-up \u2014 he takes the best defender. Then everyone else gets the domino effect of that for (Cooper) Sharman, who has really been unsighted tonight.<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon they\u2019re good enough. They just don\u2019t have the courage to put it all out there against the best, and risk being hammered to win the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to play with aggression and demand the footy when it\u2019s your time. The stars need to stand up … I just don\u2019t think they really release against the good sides and play their best.\u201d<\/p>\n

De Koning has also missed the Saints\u2019 past two matches through injury, while senior pair Jack Sinclair and Sam Flanders have been ruled out for the remainder of the season in a growing test of the club\u2019s depth.<\/p>\n

But, Riewoldt cautioned against placing unrealistic expectations on King after such a lengthy stint on the sidelines.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of expectation they\u2019ve put on Max King. He hasn\u2019t played for two years; we don\u2019t know what sort of player he\u2019s going to be,\u201d Riewoldt said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long time to not play AFL footy, and then the expectation will be that he comes in and changes this club. He can\u2019t change the attitude of the backline or midfield, but will obviously change the forward line.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be fascinating what sort of Max King we get after a huge hiatus from AFL footy.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘Look out, there’s a step!’ | 00:23<\/p>\n

\u2018WON\u2019T WANT ME SAYING THIS…\u2019: PARTING CEO\u2019S TASSIE CLIP AS QUESTION GROW OVER STAR GIANTS DUO<\/p>\n

Former GWS chief executive Dave Matthews believes Tasmania\u2019s enormous financial war chest means the AFL\u2019s incoming 19th club will inevitably circle players such as Giants co-captain Tom Green \u2014 but that they\u2019ll need to pay overs due to their location.<\/p>\n

Speaking to 3AW on Saturday,<\/a> Matthews declared Tasmania \u201clooms large\u201d in the race for the 25-year-old, who has regularly been linked to the expansion club ahead of its 2028 entry into the competition.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Tasmania looms large, just because of the sheer offers that you hear they\u2019re going to make,\u201d Matthews said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be honest, my view is they need to make those. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a super attractive proposition to go and play at Tasmania. My own view is it\u2019s a nice place to visit, (but) I don\u2019t think it\u2019s an unbelievable place to have a career and live.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the hold-ups in relation to the infrastructure… I know (Devils CEO) Brendon Gale probably wouldn\u2019t want me saying this … but by the time they get a stadium in place, it\u2019s probably three years into their tenure. By that stage, a player like Tom Green is probably 31 or 32.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kozzy cops a high boot | 00:22<\/p>\n

The recently departed Giants figure also pointed to Green\u2019s long-term ambitions as a reason he believes the star midfielder will resist the lure of Tasmania\u2019s expected riches \u2014 which reportedly entails a seven-year deal around the $9 million mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe money is one thing, but the opportunity again, if you listen closely to what Tom Green talks about: He wants to be a premiership player,\u201d Matthews continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I also think at some point, I think you\u2019ll see him captain the Giants.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those comments align closely with Green\u2019s own thinking, having previously indicated that premiership success will ultimately shape the biggest contract decisions at the Giants.<\/p>\n

Tom Green (facing) embraces Toby Greene after a Round 7 win over the Sydney Swans at the Sydney Cricket Ground, on April 29, 2023 (Photo by Cameron Spencer\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Speaking to SEN in May on the future of teammate and star captain Toby Greene, who has separately been strongly linked to Geelong, Green revealed his skipper was taking his time before deciding on his next move.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like this contract decision will be mainly based on where he feels he is best suited to winning a premiership,\u201d Green said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I still think that\u2019s at the Giants \u2026 some things haven\u2019t gone our way yet this year, but I don\u2019t see why they wouldn\u2019t going forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be really disappointed if he didn\u2019t think that was at the Giants.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pretty close with Toby \u2026 having (had) a couple of conversations with him, I really don\u2019t know exactly where his head\u2019s at.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018SEVEN ROLES\u2019: HUGE BLUES VOID COULD CRUEL SEASON\u2026 BUT FRASER STILL \u2018IN THE MIX\u2019<\/p>\n

If there is to be a Harry McKay-sized void in Carlton\u2019s season, it could well derail any remaining chance it has of making the top-10. <\/p>\n

Despite scans revealing a minor meniscus tear and bone bruising in his knee after a collision with teammate Sam Walsh on Saturday night, it\u2019s not even a certainty that McKay will miss against Gold Coast next week. <\/p>\n

The Blues have labelled McKay a \u2018test\u2019 heading into their Round 20 fixture, with Carlton still sitting just percentage outside the finals picture after the Giants\u2019 shock loss to Essendon on Sunday night. <\/p>\n

Given the spearhead\u2019s importance not only as a focal point but from a structural perspective, triple Richmond premiership star Jack Riewoldt believes he\u2019s almost the club\u2019s number-one \u201cpuzzle piece\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cClearly they missed him tonight. In terms of pieces to the puzzle for Carlton, and a man that\u2019s played well under Josh Fraser, he\u2019s nearly number one,\u201d Riewoldt said on Fox Footy\u2019s Super Saturday Live. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey had to makeshift a second ruck – they used Blake Acres in there, they used Brodie Kemp in there, and they had to makeshift a forward line. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd too many times tonight, they bombed it forward to where Harry should have been, and unfortunately, he wasn\u2019t, and Collingwood was able to repel and offend from that point in the game. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll be a big watch.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Slow to get our game going!” | 07:30<\/p>\n

Collingwood took nine contested marks to Carlton\u2019s one on Saturday night. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that guy\u2019s role in the team is to be the contested marking beast in the forward line,\u201d dual North Melbourne flag-winner David King said. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it has such an influence on the group, it changes probably six or seven roles in the team. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo, it has a huge impact on this group, that was right in the game. It\u2019s a significant talking point when he goes down.\u201d<\/p>\n

It leaves Brodie Kemp and Mitch McGovern as the resident key forwards, with Hudson O\u2019Keeffe shaping as the McKay replacement as a second ruck who can go forward and hit the scoreboard. <\/p>\n

Otherwise, Ashton Moir is a potential mid-sized solution. Either way, it\u2019s not a convincing mix in terms of key attacking targets for the rest of the year. <\/p>\n

But it still might not matter if McKay misses extended time, as they\u2019re still projected to finish 12th in Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s The Run Home. <\/p>\n

Their percentage is poor, and the likes of Brisbane and Fremantle loom in their remaining fixture. <\/p>\n

In the immediate post-match on Saturday, Riewoldt said of the Blues\u2019 chances: \u201cObviously, injuries will be the big toll out of this for them, and you\u2019d think that their finals contention is probably done for season 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regardless, the discourse around Josh Fraser and his senior coach candidacy will continue, with Super Saturday Live\u2019s Jay Clark \u201ccertain\u201d he\u2019ll soon sit down with the club\u2019s higher-ups. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a big talking point this week,\u201d Clark said on Fox Footy on Saturday night. <\/p>\n

\u201cLook, I don\u2019t think he\u2019s clinched the job at this stage. But clearly, he\u2019s in the mix. I think he\u2019s shown enough to warrant the conversation. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll sit down with Chris Davies, Adam Simpson and Graham Wright – I\u2019m certain of that. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think there\u2019ll be a significant step in this process over the next seven-to-10 days. I think the shortlist will be whittled down to about five candidates. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019ll happen over the next fortnight. They\u2019ll have a longer, more meaningful conversation with the people who have got down to the pointy end of this process.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘Finding answers when we needed them’ | 07:40<\/p>\n

And despite the loss to Collingwood – marking back-to-back defeats after seven-straight wins – King was still buoyant about Fraser\u2019s chance of landing the permanent gig. <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought that was a pretty good performance; I thought he coached really well,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe had to handle the McKay situation all night, which is probably one of the really significant pieces that changes everything – manufacturing a second ruck, manufacturing a target, throwing Derksen forward at the end, throwing McGovern around. <\/p>\n

\u201cThen you lose Cerra, and it compounds the headaches in the box. <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you can put a line through him. I think he\u2019s been really impressive with what he\u2019s done. I love listening to him speak. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019s giving a great presentation to what he can do with this group that was broken when he got them. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe all forget about that, because he won seven in a row. He\u2019s making a good case.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There are two clear contenders for the AFL Coach of the Year, but a man inside the bottom…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":810950,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-810949","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/810949","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=810949"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/810949\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/810950"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=810949"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=810949"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=810949"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}