Sydney coach John Longmire has had a small win over his long-time friend and Hawthorn counterpart Alastair Clarkson before the AFL grand final.

Longmire beat Clarkson by one vote to take out the Allan Jeans Coach of the Year award.

The honour was announced on Tuesday night at the AFL Coaches Association Awards evening.

It is a good omen for the Swans – Longmire also won the award two years ago, when Sydney beat Hawthorn in an epic grand final.

Clarkson was sidelined for five weeks midway through this season with a serious illness.