Could King beat Longmuir to AFL's coach of the year gong?

Melbourne's stunning victory over Fremantle has silenced doubts about the team's performance, establishing them as genuine contenders and a warning to rivals. For first-year coach Steven King, this success is a significant achievement, positioning him as a primary challenger for the AFL's coach of the year award, currently held by Justin Longmuir.

The Demons' resurgence is particularly noteworthy given the departure of premiership coach Simon Goodwin and the loss of key players like Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca and four-time best and fairest winner Clayton Oliver. Despite these setbacks, Melbourne is now vying for a top-four finish and has consistently scored over 100 points in recent games, even with star forward Brody Mihocek sidelined by injury.

King has successfully rebuilt the team's structure on its existing foundation. "If we play our brand of footy we can beat anyone. That's the belief Kingy's driving in us," said player Harrison Petty. "We play a brutal game of footy and we try to play with a bit of flair. In previous years we haven't done that, and this year it's changed. It's an exciting brand."

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If we play our brand of footy we can beat anyone. That's the belief Kingy's driving in us. We play a brutal game of footy and we try to play with a bit of flair. In previous years we haven't done that, and this year it's changed. It's an exciting brand.

King himself credited his predecessor, Simon Goodwin, for laying the groundwork. "I think you missed the foundations of what was already here," King stated. "They won a premiership five years ago. Simon Goodwin was a great coach of this footy club. So I've walked into a group that knows how to compete around the footy and defend."

While Longmuir has guided the Fremantle Dockers to the top of the ladder with a league-high number of players featuring in every game, King's ability to overcome significant obstacles and elevate Melbourne's performance makes him a strong contender for coach of the year. Melbourne's improved ball movement and scoring, despite losing top midfielders, highlight King's coaching impact.

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I think you missed the foundations of what was already here. They won a premiership five years ago. Simon Goodwin was a great coach of this footy club. So I've walked into a group that knows how to compete around the footy and defend.