The South-west's starting 22: Taking up the reins

"Getting the right person for the top job is the key to success on and off the field, and the very best coaches seem to have two distinct qualities - they're both respected and feared," he wrote.

"History tells us the best coaches had plenty of both, while possessing an innate ability to get their teams over the line when it mattered most."

It is hard for anyone not to agree with that statement.

The respect helps build a relationship between a coach and his players, allowing the team to become or remain in sync and work towards the same goal - winning a premiership.

It goes both ways too. If a coach can respect his players efforts, their strengths, their weaknesses then it makes easier for both parties to succeed together.

The fear reminds players of who ultimately makes the final decisions on the team, who plays and the style in which they play.

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That fear can also be used to motivate and raise their team to another level to ensure respect is more common than fear.

Respect and fear are two big parts of what have made successful coaches at the highest level but there are bonuses that some mentors have that help their club on the field and off it.

Strong communication skills, man-management skills, are compassionate and level-headed, have good game sense and a strong understanding of their whole list are valuable bonuses.

Listen to this week's episode of The Standard's football podcast, The Main Break.

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The south-west has had three coaches who have had successful stints at clubs at the highest level across the past 20 years and exhibit the same traits mentioned above.

In this side's coaching panel they have led their sides for a combined 425 games - claiming 230 wins, suffering 191 defeats, playing part in four draws and recording a 54.11 per cent win rate

They have also led their sides to 10 finals series, one as far as a grand final and the other two to preliminary finals. One was also named the AFL Coaches Association coach of the year.

This trio would be more than capable of leading this side of the past 20 years to success if they ever took the field.

AFL club: Greater Western Sydney 2014-present

South-west connection: Caramut

Games: 143 - 79 wins, 61 losses and three draws

Record: 55.2 per cent win rate, four straight finals appearances 2016-19, one grand final

When it comes to man-management and earning and demanding respect from a playing group there are few better than Cameron.

That and his impeccable record as a coach, leading the competition's youngest club to four straight finals series and an unexpected grand final berth in 2019, is why he is the main man for this side.

Before last year's grand final Giants' director of coaching and fellow south-west export Alan McConnell said "he (Cameron) spends time with every player on our list every week, without exception."

Showing his commitment to his whole playing list and making every player in the side is part of the process.

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But Cameron's ringing endorsement came before his senior AFL coaching career had even registered a game.

After years as an assistant at the Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney he was picked to replace the legendary Kevin Sheedy and become the second coach of the Giants.

It was Sheedy who had the final say on who would take the reins from him after he ended his 679-game coaching career.

His record now speaks for the calibre of coach he is. Cameron has overseen 125 games for 68 wins, 54 losses and three draws for a win rate of 51.2 per cent.

The past four years he has led his side to 62 wins, 33 losses and three draws as the Giants stormed into premiership contention.

He has also led the club to a grand final, two preliminary finals and one semi in the past four years.

AFL club: Port Adelaide 2013-present

South-west connection: Camperdown

Games: 159 - 88 wins, 71 losses

Record: 55.53 per cent win rate, AFLCA coach of year 2013, three finals appearances 2012-13, 2017

When it comes to demanding respect from the playing group, Hinkley is one of the best in the business and has been since the start of his stint at the Power.

From very early on in his tenure at Alberton he has demanded an uncompromising level of professionalism, hard work and dedication from his players.

With this respect and the uncompromising levels he asks for, Hinkley is also feared by the players and uses that to constantly inspire them to greater things.

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From the start Hinkley has shown he is capable of leading a side into finals. In his first season the club stormed into a semi-final, where it was ultimately eliminated by Geelong.

This sudden rise came as a surprise to Port Adelaide fans who had only won a combined eight games in the previous two seasons.

He backed it up a year later with expectations again low, going on to play in the preliminary final against eventual premiers Hawthorn.

The Power would miss finals the next two seasons before returning and losing in a thrilling elimination final against West Coast.

AFL club: St Kilda 2001-6

South-west connection: Warrnambool

Games: 123 - 63 wins, 59 losses, one draw

Record: 50.4 win rate, three straight finals series 2004-6

Thomas was one of the most innovative coaches of his generation and ushered in new concepts that have now become part of the blueprints his successors use.

He introduced the idea of community camps, overseas training camps, co-captaincy, wellbeing surveys and that helped him form a winning side that played in three straight finals series between 2004-6.

Thomas was beloved by his players and that was what motivated them to strive to be the best on the field. He also used it as a key motivator.

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He was also very good at man-management and brought a business approach to coaching which is still used today with coaches often being key salespersons for their clubs.

The former Warrnambool playing-coach was also one of three St Kilda coaches, including 1966 premiership mentor Allan Jeans and Ross Lyon, to play finals in three successive years.

He also led the side to successive preliminary finals in 2004-5 before he was sacked after the elimination final defeat to Melbourne in 2006.

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