FREMANTLE coach Justin Longmuir's feat in guiding the Dockers to the minor premiership has been recognised by his peers, who voted Longmuir the AFL Coaches Association's AFL senior coach of the year.
Longmuir topped the poll ahead of Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, who is chasing a third successive premiership when his Lions face off against Longmuir's Dockers in Saturday's Grand Final, with Sydney's Dean Cox third.
Longmuir, who has coached the Dockers since 2020, said it was a great honour to join the list of previous winners.
"The moment I started coaching, I fell in love with the profession - I get to go to work every day and help players to achieve their goals. That inspires and drives me to be the best coach I can be," he said.
"I see this award as a reflection of the entire coaching group at Fremantle. I couldn’t ask for a more driven, selfless team of coaches to work with and I thank them for their dedication and support."
AFLCA CEO Alistair Nicholson said Longmuir's honour reflected both the season Fremantle had produced and the work behind the club's progression.
"Justin has done an outstanding job in building this Fremantle group and the results this season are a credit to the environment he and his coaching team have created," Nicholson said.
"What has been particularly impressive is the consistency and resilience of the group. They have continued to respond to challenges throughout the season and we've seen that again during the finals.
"Justin has committed a significant part of his football life to Fremantle, first as a player and now as Senior Coach, and to be recognised by his coaching peers after the season they've produced is thoroughly deserved."
Collingwood backline coach Jordan Roughead was named the AFL assistant coach of the year ahead of James Rahilly (Geelong) and Jaymie Graham (Fremantle).
Nigel Lappin, who joined Tasmania as the Devils' head of development after the season, was named the AFL development coach of the year for his work at Geelong, ahead of Nick Malceski (Sydney) and Taylor Whitford (Melbourne).
And Geelong assistant James Kelly was awarded the AFLCA career and education award and will attend Harvard Business School for a course this off-season.
Veteran administrator Shane O'Sullivan was awarded recognised with the Neale Daniher Lifetime Achievement Award for his work over four decades with Carlton, Footscray and the Brisbane Bears.
2026 Monjon Allan Jeans AFLCA Senior Coach of the Year
1. Justin Longmuir (Fremantle) - 260 votes
2. Chris Fagan (Brisbane) - 216
3. Dean Cox (Sydney) - 98
2026 AFLCA AFL Assistant Coach of the Year
1. Jordan Roughead (Collingwood)
2. James Rahilly (Geelong)
3. Jaymie Graham (Fremantle)
2026 AFLCA AFL Development Coach of the Year
1. Nigel Lappin (Geelong)
2. Nick Malceski (Sydney)
3. Taylor Whitford (Melbourne)
2026 AFL Coaches Association Career and Education Award
James Kelly (Geelong)
2026 Neale Daniher AFL Coaches Association Lifetime Achievement Award
Shane O'Sullivan (Carlton, Footscray, Brisbane Bears)