Cats’ loss in AFL’s big gain
GEELONG says it will be business as usual at Simonds Stadium in the wake of Steve Hocking’s appointment to AFL House as the league’s football operations manager.
Club chief executive Brian Cook said there were mixed emotions at the departure of the Cats football boss but Hocking would go with his blessing at the conclusion of Geelong’s finals campaign.
“It’s sad to see Steve go, but it’s a great opportunity for him and it’s great for the industry,” Cook said. “But the good thing is Steve won’t be leaving until after the finals campaign so that’s our priority at the moment and Steve is running that show to make sure we do our absolute best in the finals.”
Hocking has led the Geelong football department since the end of 2014, when he replaced footy boss Neil Balme and has been seen as a contender for the CEO role at the club when Cook stands down.
The appointment comes in the wake of revelations AFL executives Simon Lethlean and Richard Simkiss had had inappropriate relationships with junior AFL staffers.
Hocking said he was excited about his new role.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of the AFL and the broader game,” Hocking said.
“I had a fabulous job at Geelong. The fact is I was keen to do the (AFL) role. I’m really looking forward to using the skills I’ve learnt at Geelong and placing them within this role at the AFL.”
Geelong will wait until after the finals to search for a replacement for the 52-year-old, but it is understood it will search far and wide for the best candidates.
Cook said Hocking’s appointment was clearly another tick for the off-field development of the club’s staff.
“There’s no doubt about that. We’ve developed a few very good executives in or time — the Stuart Foxes of the world and so on. So, we’re proud of that,” Cook said.
“Sometime after the finals we’ll commence the (replacement) process more diligently and more publicly.
Hocking played 199 games for Geelong, including the infamous 1989 grand final against Hawthorn and the 1994 grand final loss to West Coast.