The Kingmaker’s Gambit: Why Steven King Deserves Coach of the Year

The Australian Football League’s coach of the year award has become a contentious issue, with Justin Longmuir and Steven King emerging as top contenders. While Longmuir’s Fremantle Dockers sit atop the ladder, Melbourne’s King is quietly building a team that could potentially disrupt the established order.

King’s ability to revitalize a struggling team is one reason why he deserves serious consideration for the award. When he took over at Melbourne, the club had just lost its two best midfielders and was still reeling from Simon Goodwin’s departure as premiership coach. Instead of relying on familiar faces or making drastic changes, King opted to build upon the foundations laid by Goodwin.

Melbourne’s statistics reveal some impressive trends. Despite losing star forward Brody Mihocek to injury, the team has maintained its high-scoring form, averaging over 100 points per game in four out of their last six matches. This is a testament to King’s ability to adapt and find creative solutions to problems.

Longmuir’s Fremantle Dockers have demonstrated remarkable depth and consistency with 11 players featuring in every game this season. Their dominance at the top of the ladder suggests they have what it takes to win the premiership, but why shouldn’t Longmuir be overlooked for coach of the year?

The answer lies in the award’s history. While many coaches have gone on to win the premiership after receiving the accolade, there are instances where first-year winners failed to make a grand final the same season. Only four out of 23 winners rose from outside the top four at the start of the year.

King’s achievement should not be dismissed as a one-off anomaly. His success has been built on careful planning and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. As the Demons continue to push for a top-four finish, they are demonstrating a level of resilience and determination that is hard to ignore.

The broader implications of King’s candidacy are worth considering. If he were to win the award, it would be a testament to his ability to inspire and motivate a team in adversity. It would also highlight the importance of building upon existing strengths rather than relying solely on individual talent or external factors.

Ultimately, the decision will come down to personal opinion and interpretation of what makes a coach great. However, based on King’s performance this season, it’s clear that he deserves serious consideration for the award. Whether or not he ultimately wins is less important than the fact that his achievement has brought renewed attention to the Melbourne Demons and their remarkable turnaround story.

In the end, Steven King has already won something far more valuable than a trophy – he’s earned the respect of his peers and the hearts of his players. And that’s an achievement that will serve him well regardless of the outcome.