Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking has offered more insight on the Cats’ pursuit of coaching experience to put around Chris Scott.
It was reported earlier this month that Geelong had sounded out former St Kilda and Fremantle tactician Ross Lyon for a coaching and strategic role.
The former general manager of football operations at the AFL, Hocking suggested it was a more casual chat than has been speculated.
“Chris and Ross go back a long way,” Hocking explained on SEN Breakfast.
“(And) I actually had a fair bit to do with Ross at the AFL. I was big on making sure we were talking to people about the game. I don’t think one person has all the answers, I’ve never believed that.
“(So) you get out and you scope what is available. Ross was one of a number of people we’ve spoken to.
“One of the great things about Ross which Chris and I both enjoyed was he gave us an external view of what he sees of our football club.
“The potential opportunities that might be in front of us, and where the game is going. I’m very appreciative of the time he gave us and the insights he provided us.”
Asked whether a role for Lyon at the Cattery was on the cards, Hocking was forthright.
“No, it’s not,” he affirmed.
“We just talked through a whole host of things, including what he’s done in other programs. He’s been a very successful coach, he’s one of a number of people we’ve spoken to.”
Hocking last week confirmed to the Herald Sun that Scott would coach the Cats beyond next season, though a contract has yet to be signed.
Having leveraged their future in the pursuit of short-term success, the Cats’ 83-point preliminary final defeat to Melbourne prompted questions of the list and coach.
Upon Hocking’s return to Kardinia Park, where he represented Geelong in 199 games and served as the head of the football department, the air had to be cleared.
“They absolutely were strong discussions (with Scott),” Hocking recalled.
“There’s been a lot of talk around as to our friendship, I think people need to be aware the role I’ve come into is to take care of the Geelong Football Club and steer it into its future.
“The management and the board, particularly led by Craig Drummond, were really strong when I got here on Chris being extended.
“Brian Cook, the previous CEO, was really strong on that as well.
“I’ve come in and it’s been really important for Chris and I to sit down and actually just look one another in the eye and talk through what the future looked like.
“What we have to do here, and where is our direction.”
Having been laser-focused on an expansive mandate at AFL House for the past four seasons, Hocking said he needed to put the time in to reignite relationships down the highway.
“I think we needed to convince one another,” he admitted.
“I’ve been Switzerland at the AFL, because that’s what you need to do, you have to make sure you’re looking after the game and the 18 clubs’ interests, not one particular club.
“I’ve come out of that, and I’m now re-establishing some of those relationships down at Geelong. I’m not the same person I was four years ago.
“I’ve developed some other skills and some other understandings, and Chris is in the same boat. You need to be fair on one another, understand that and take your time to work through it.”
Hocking intends to help Scott delegate his duties, after the stress of consecutive seasons affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These have been two of the toughest years in the history of the game,” Hocking continued.
“Chris has been front and centre of that. Leading in hubs, on the road, lots of being out of your normal environment of home.
“I think he’s done a fantastic job - as have a lot of people at the club - but we do need to put more support around him, and the players as well.
“That’s certainly my role, I’ll lead on that. It’s important I do.
“And then there’s people like (general manager) Simon Lloyd, (list manager) Stephen Wells and (recruiter) Andrew Mackie, there’s going to be assistant coaches - everybody needs to chip in.”
Hocking cited Melbourne as a successful example, the Dees having built a strong team around now-premiership coach Simon Goodwin after missing the finals in 2019 and 2020.
“I think the focus was heavily on Simon in 2020,” he recalled.
“In 2021, the workload has been shared. It’s been Adem Yze, Troy Chaplin, Darren Burgess, Alan Richardson.
“You do have to invest in your key people and make sure they’re taking good care of the program.”
With the pieces falling into place, Hocking says it is an appropriate time to take a step back and focus on other departments.
“Clearly I’ve got some thoughts on what we needed to do. My focus in the first few weeks has been down in football,” he acknowledged.
“By the end of this week, my eyes will come up and I’ll be engaging in other parts of the club.
“We’ve got some wonderful things ahead of us at Geelong, and Chris is going to be a part of that.”
Scott has coached Geelong to 179 wins, 80 losses and two draws since he was appointed ahead of the 2011 season, including the premiership in his first season.
Since then however, the Cats have won seven finals and lost 15, including preliminary final defeats in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021, and a Grand Final defeat in 2020.