AFL hands down penalty for Chris Scott on-field exchange

The AFL has hit Geelong coach Chris Scott with a substantial fine for his on-field stoush with rival player Lachie Neale.

Chris Scott has been handed a suspended $10,000 fine by the AFL for his role in the on-field dramas of Friday night.

The league on Thursday closed the book on the episode by handing Scott the suspended fine after his third incident since 2015.

The Geelong coach had also approached AFL umpire Ray Chamberlain in last year’s finals series as well as exchanged words with Port Adelaide’s Hamish Hartlett in a separate incident.

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The AFL was concerned about Scott’s actions and how they might be reflected at lower leagues across Australia.

But he maintained in his response to the AFL that he had simply had a conversation with Lachie Neale about Gary Rohan’s conduct.

Scott and Brisbane coach Chris Fagan exchanged words after the quarter-time huddle broke up.

But despite an array of colourful allegations no one has confirmed what was said between the pair.

Fagan was not interviewed by the AFL or asked for his response about what took place on the field.

Chris Scott during the clash with Brisbane. Picture: AFL Photos

Scott’s senior coaching colleagues said it was a poor look to be so demonstrative on the field with rival players.

Neale and Rohan got into a fight that eventually saw Rohan suspended for two weeks after he retaliated to a Neale hit to his chest.

Scott, who will speak to the media on Friday, said after the game he was simply talking to Neale about that incident.

He had to be dragged away by Geelong players including Cam Guthrie and Joel Selwood.

It is understood those players loved the fact Scott was so strong in defending them and backing in his team.

“I was walking onto the ground and Lachie Neale just said to me something, I couldn’t understand exactly what he said, but something about Gary Rohan,” Scott said post-match.

“And I said I’m happy to have that conversation with you if you like, I’ve seen the vision and I’m comfortable with it. I suspect he didn’t hear all of that. That’s all that was said.

“They (Lions players) weren’t paying me compliments but I didn’t say anything after that.

“I thought Neale struck Gary on the chest and then Gary struck him on the chest. I’m certainly not saying he (Neale) did the wrong thing, that’s footy. I had a pretty good look at what Gary did and I’m comfortable with it.”

The AFL said Scott had apologised for his actions and made clear there would be consequences if another incident occurred across the league this year.

“Everyone involved in Australian Football has a responsibility to demonstrate respect towards each other at all times – and that includes coaches towards players and players towards coaches. We can never underestimate the impact of the actions of coaches and players at AFL level on all levels of the game, ” AFl football boss Steve Hocking said.

“I would like to make it clear that if a similar incident occurs, there will be consequences.”

Chris Fagan leaves the field after the loss to the Cats. Picture: Getty Images

Fagan says the AFL has not been in contact with him or the club over the heated quarter-time exchange.

“I haven’t had any discussions with the AFL about last Friday night,” Fagan said.

“From my perspective, I don’t expect to either.”

When asked about reports that Scott alluded to his age, and challenged him to a fight, Fagan played a straight bat.

“As I said, I’m not going to talk any further about that incident. I think we should be talking about the game (against Collingwood on Thursday night),” he said.

“I don’t think what occurred on Friday night was all that serious.”

Fagan said he understood why the AFL might have some concerns about the scenes.

“I don’t think there was a hell of a lot in it to be honest, but we must remember from a setting example point of view we don’t want community football and school football to see that occur because sometimes things can escalate and get out of control,” he said on SEN.

“We have a responsibility to set the right example for everyone out there in the community and what happened on Friday night is not ideal from that perspective, so I would understand if the AFL has some concerns around that.

“But if you want my honest opinion, there wasn’t a hell of a lot in it, so it looked worse.”

Fagan said he nor the Lions had received any correspondence from the AFL over the exchange, while he did message Scott after the game.

“We had a text after the game, it’s all good,” he said.

“A couple of passionate people about our teams and sometimes things can get said.

“But I just have a laugh at it now... I’m happy to let it go.”

ROBBO: WHY NOBODY FEELS SORRY FOR STRANDED LIONS

– Mark Robinson

Forget who said what at quarter-time of Friday’s dramatic game between Brisbane and Geelong — because the Lions have far more pressing issues.

As it is, the alleged schoolboy-type trash talking between the Brisbane players and Geelong coach Chris Scott is still being investigated by the AFL.

There were suggestions that criticism of Scott’s lovely locks of black and slightly greying hair were among the barbs directed at the coach by the Lions.

If that were the case, Scott didn’t hear it.

And what of the allegation that Scott offered to fight Lions coach Chris Fagan?

Not true.

The claim that Harris Andrews had a swipe at Geelong’s performance in last year’s Grand Final? Denied by the Lions.

Then there was an assertion that Fagan, who was late to the fracas, told Scott to go forth and multiply. Well, that could be true.

What’s evident is Scott was defending his player (Gary Rohan) and Fagan was defending his players.

It is what it is, give them all a warning, remind them they are role models and move on.

That’s the saying the homeless Lions — “it is what it is” — have adopted since they were forced from their bus and told they were to spend another night in Melbourne. And then another night.

The stay was extended again on Monday — until at least Friday — when their home game against Collingwood was moved from the Gabba to Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.

Scott becomes involved in a verbal exchange with Brisbane players at quarter time. Picture: Courtesy of Channel 7

That was not the end of it for the stranded Lions. Late on Monday, they were informed they were likely to stay in Melbourne until after their Round 4 clash against the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat.

That’s plenty of extra socks and jocks to be purchased.

No one is feeling sorry for the Lions and nor are the Lions feeling sorry for themselves.

Last year, clubs were told they were to be housed in hubs for 32 days.

For the Geelong and Richmond players, that turned into 120 days.

So, no, no-one is crying over the Lions’ spilt milk.

Still, their season is already compromised. They are 0-2 and play Collingwood. And by the end of Round 4 they will have been on the road for anywhere up to three weeks.

Fagan won’t allow any “woe us” attitude to invade his group.

His only coaching pathway is to circle the wagons, paint it as an Us-versus-the-World scenario and then set out to orchestrate a victory over the Magpies. Undoubtedly, it would be a win of substance.

But another defeat would leave his team 0-3 with the Bulldogs to come. If it’s 0-4, the top four is kaput. Even finals would be a stretch.

To say this week is a must-win match is a gross understatement.

Their preparations for Thursday are being best attended to.

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan is asked about the quarter-time incident at the Lions’ training session on Monday. Picture: Michael Klein

The Lions are staying at the Sofitel on Collins St, but could be forced to relocate to another hotel because Easter bookings mean there might not be enough rooms available for staff and players at the top-end hotel.

The Herald Sun understands the AFL was on Monday looking at alternative accommodation.

The Lions trained on Monday at Port Melbourne and team meetings were being held in the hotel conference room.

The positive is the players and staff are not in a hard lockdown and a lot of them are/will use their time to catch up with family.

Fagan knows he has bigger issues at hand. Picture: Michael Klein

On Sunday, a small group of players attended the Hawthorn-Richmond match at the MCG. A larger group attended the Bulldogs-Eagles match later that afternoon.

There could be worse places to be marooned than in Melbourne during footy season.

Challenges abound, however.

Some of them are big. Others are small but important — like finding rooms for staff so they don’t have to share sleeping quarters.

That can be managed over two days, not three weeks.

Further good news is that all players and staff have tested negative to COVID.

That leaves Thursday night’s game.

Forfeiting the home game will cost the Lions upwards of $500,000 and while that erodes the bank balance, it won’t be as painful as the team starting 0-3.

The Lions will embrace the challenge. They don’t have an alternative.

After all, “it is what it is”.

Originally published as AFL hands down penalty for Chris Scott on-field exchange