Chris Scott is making no secret of his involvement in Geelong’s push to attract recruits that could keep the AFL powerhouse in premiership contention for years to come.
The Cats have been heavy hitters in the player movement market throughout Scott’s 14-year coaching tenure, luring a series of high-profile acquisitions from rival clubs with great success.
Seven members of Geelong’s 2022 flag-winning team started their AFL careers elsewhere.
The Cats have been strongly linked this year to Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith, who is out of contract and has also attracted attention from Hawthorn.
While focused on another finals campaign, starting against Port Adelaide on Thursday night, Scott said he can’t afford to put recruitment responsibilities aside during September.
“I would like to think that I am as involved as I would be if we weren’t playing (finals), and that’s just the reality and a requirement of the job,” Scott said on Monday.
“There are 10 teams who are well and truly focused on that part of the cycle and if the other eight say we’re just going to worry about playing and then address those issues when our season finishes, you’re going to end up a long way behind.
“The fortunate thing from my position – I can’t speak for every head coach – I have such a level of confidence in the people (at Geelong) that are largely charged with that responsibility.
“I think after a long period here of stability and work with those people, I understand my role in it.”
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell created headlines in July when he met with West Coast’s Tom Barrass – a former Eagles teammate who has since requested a trade to the Hawks.
Scott, who was then in his second year at the helm of Geelong, famously led a delegation to meet with Port Adelaide’s Travis Boak in 2012.
The 48-year-old noted established players who are considering switching clubs could not complete their due diligence without the coach having some level of involvement in the process.
“I don’t feel it’s a burden, in fact, I find this time of year quite exciting,” Scott said.
“There’s some opportunity there and some of these big decisions that are in a lot of cases really finely run things, 50-50 calls, they can set up your fortunes for years to come.
“So it’s a crucial time. I’d be a little bit offended if anyone at our club thought that I couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time.”
Also on Monday, Melbourne premiership player Alex Neal-Bullen confirmed he wants to be traded to Adelaide rather than Port Adelaide.
The 28-year-old told the Demons last month of his desire to move home to South Australia for family reasons.
The deal is expected to be one of the most straight-forward of the trade period, with Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin having said the club was “very open” to helping Neal-Bullen switch clubs.
It comes after disgruntled superstar Christian Petracca committed to staying at the Dees next year following weeks of speculation about his future at the club.
Meanwhile, two-time All-Australian forward Chad Wingard has announced his retirement in a social media post.
Wingard has not played a senior game for Hawthorn this season because of injuries.
The 30-year-old was a star during seven seasons at Port Adelaide before joining the Hawks at the end of 2018, and he finishes with 218 games and 300 goals to his name.
And in other news, St Kilda wingman Mason Wood has signed a three-year extension, tying the 30-year-old to the Saints until the end of 2027.
