SCOTT STILL COMMITTED TO CATS
NEW Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking says Chris Scott is committed to spearheading the club’s chase for its next flag and eventual transition to youth as the coach closes in on a new two-year extension.
But Hocking says the club must lessen the load on Scott as it brings in a new assistant coaching staff full of innovation and fresh ideas.
The Cats are set to announce former Cats defender Matthew Egan in a key development role, have made overtures to tactical guru Ross Lyon and have lured back Harry Taylor in a high-performance role.
Hocking revealed on Friday the club was also looking to improve its medical and fitness program after several recent departures.
The Cats suffered key injuries this year, including star recruit Jeremy Cameron’s repeat hamstring tweaks.
Hocking’s first three weeks as Brian Cook’s replacement have been full of big ideas and challenging conversations at Geelong as he prepares the club to “bounce out of Covid”.
Yet in his years as the AFL’s football boss he says he gained extra appreciation for Scott, whose two-year extension will lock him away until 2024.
“We are working through that with Chris currently. We are looking to extend him,” he said in his first extensive interview as Cats CEO.
“He will be extended. There is a contract in place for 2022 but we are committed to Chris.
“The big thing with Chris is, and I have worked right across 18 clubs so I think I am reasonably well placed to make this comment, he is in the top three or four coaches across the competition.
“If you have a look tactically at what he does game day it’s exceptional.”
Hocking said there were a number of coaches across the competition who had commented on how difficult Scott was to coach against on game day.
“Now what we need to do is make sure he has refreshment (of coaches and ideas) around him. We are currently working through that,” Hocking said.
“It’s about putting some fresh ideas and new ideas and the freshness I bring around Chris and the program.
“The comment I would like to make is there is a lot of focus on Chris and I think as a CEO coming in, it’s important we have got a shared future.”
The Cats are open to considering whether they actually appoint line coaches to govern defence, midfield and attack, with Shaun Grigg to step up from development and James Kelly, Shane O’Bree and Nigel Lappin all part of the coaching panel.
Eddie Betts will join the club in a part-time capacity, with Geelong also appointing Chloe Wegener as the club’s new Indigenous liaison officer.