Fremantle coach JUSTIN LONGMUIR has been recognised by his peers for a remarkable season, taking out the prestigious 2026 Monjon Allan Jeans AFLCA Senior Coach of the Year Award on Tuesday night.
Longmuir polled a total of 260 votes, securing the award ahead of fellow Grand Final coach and back-to-back Senior Coach of the Year winner Chris Fagan in second place (216 votes) and Sydney’s Dean Cox in third (98 votes).
It has been a landmark season for Longmuir and the Dockers, who claimed the minor premiership after a club-record 19-win home-and-away season, including a 14-game winning streak and an unbeaten 12-0 record at Optus Stadium during the regular season.
The 2026 AFL Coaches Association Awards announced throughout the Awards Night, included the Neale Daniher Lifetime Achievement Award, AFL Assistant Coach of the Year, AFL Development Coach of the Year and Career and Education Award.
The 2026 AFL Coaches Association AFL Assistant Coach of the Year Award was awarded to Collingwood’s JORDAN ROUGHEAD for his work for the Magpies as the club’s ‘backs’ coach during the 2026 season.
Under Roughead’s guidance, Collingwood’s defence continued to rank among the competition’s strongest this season, despite several injuries to key personnel, and he has continued to develop his coaching credentials under Craig McRae.
Roughead moved into coaching following a 201-game AFL playing career with the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood, which included the Bulldogs’ drought-breaking 2016 premiership. His transition into coaching began while still playing, working as a specialist coach with Collingwood’s AFLW program before moving into the AFL coaching ranks.
Geelong’s James Rahilly finished in second place, with third place going to Fremantle’s Jaymie Graham.
The 2026 AFL Coaches Association AFL Development Coach of the Year Award was awarded to Geelong’s NIGEL LAPPIN, recognising his long-standing work as the Cats’ Head of Development.
Lappin has become a central figure in Geelong’s player development program, bringing extensive experience from his distinguished playing and coaching career to the club’s emerging talent.
His development philosophy centres on the long-term growth of players on and off the field, with a focus on improvement, learning and building confidence within Geelong’s system.
Lappin has played an important role in helping prepare the Cats’ next generation for senior football while contributing to the club’s sustained success. His impact and experience at Geelong will now carry into the next chapter of his coaching career, with Lappin set to join Tasmania ahead of the club’s inaugural AFL season.
Sydney’s Nick Malceski finished in second place, while Melbourne’s Taylor Whitford finished in third.
Geelong Assistant Coach JAMES KELLY was awarded the 2026 AFL Coaches Association Career and Education Award, recognised for his strong commitment to his ongoing professional development and leadership growth.
Kelly is currently enrolled in the Harvard Business School’s ‘Changing the Game Negotiation and Competitive Decision-Making’ course which is set to take place during this off-season. This builds on his previous professional development, including the AFL SportsReady Executive Certificate in AFL Management, Football Operations and List Management (2023), Methodic Business Coaching sessions (2022) and Harvard University’s Leadership Communication course (2018).
The 2026 Neale Daniher AFL Coaches Association Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to SHANE O’SULLIVAN, recognising an extraordinary contribution to Australian football spanning more than four decades.
O’Sullivan began his football administration career at Carlton Football Club in 1979 and has since held an abundance of roles across the game. After serving as Carlton’s Assistant General Manager, he became General Manager of Footscray Football Club before playing a significant role in the establishment of the Brisbane Bears as the club’s General Manager of Football from 1987 to 1992. He returned to Carlton in 1994 as Recruiting Manager. He later served as Football Administration Manager, before taking on his role with the Spirit of Carlton, helping maintain the connection between the club and its past players and Life Members.
Across his career, O’Sullivan has made an enduring contribution to football through administration, recruiting, coaching and player development. His service to the game has previously been recognised with Carlton Football Club Life Membership in 2002, AFLCA’s Support Staff Leadership Award in 2008, AFL’s Jack Titus Award in 2014 and in 2021 he received AFL Life Membership for his outstanding contribution to Australian rules football.
2026 MONJON ALLAN JEANS AFLCA SENIOR COACH OF THE YEAR
1. Justin Longmuir – FREMANTLE – 260 votes
2. Chris Fagan – BRISBANE – 216 votes
3. Dean Cox – SYDNEY – 98 votes
2026 AFL COACHES ASSOCIATION AFL ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR
1. JORDAN ROUGHEAD – COLLINGWOOD
2. JAMES RAHILLY – GEELONG
3. JAYMIE GRAHAM – FREMANTLE
2026 AFL COACHES ASSOCIATION AFL DEVELOPMENT COACH OF THE YEAR
1. NIGEL LAPPIN – GEELONG
2. NICK MALCESKI – SYDNEY
3. TAYLOR WHITFORD – MELBOURNE
BACKGROUND ON SHANE O’SULLIVAN
2026 NEALE DANIHER AFLCA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATION & RECRUITING
CARLTON FOOTBALL CLUB
1979 – 1982: FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATION
FOOTSCRAY FOOTBALL CLUB
1983 – 1986: GENERAL MANAGER
BRISBANE BEARS
1987 – 1992: GENERAL MANAGER – FOOTBALL
CARLTON FOOTBALL CLUB
1994 – 2004: RECRUITING MANAGER
2005 – 2018: FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
2019 – PRESENT: SPIRIT OF CARLTON MANAGER
HONOURS:
2002: CARLTON FOOTBALL CLUB Life Membership
2008: AFLCA Support Staff Leadership Award
2014: AFL Jack Titus Award
2021: AFL Life Membership
