Robbo: Departing AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking was a man of conviction, Brad Scott linked as possible replacements

Will the AFL pluck a CEO out of clubland or look inside its own doors at a former senior coach? Mark Robinson looks at the possible Steve Hocking replacements.

Filling the head of football role at the AFL has never been about winning a popularity contest, but that never bothered Steve Hocking.

Popularity never bothered him when he played for Geelong either — the club at which he will soon return to replace Brian Cook as chief executive.

Because sometimes you have to act for the greater cause.

Ask Leigh Matthews – who felt the full brunt of Hocking’s actions during one of the most infamous days in the game’s history.

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Steven Hocking was Gillon McLachlan’s right-hand man in turbulent times. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Hocking’s role at the AFL was less combative than his playing days, but certainly it was combustible.

How can it not be when millions of fans have a view on how the game should be played and how it should be umpired?

Hocking won’t miss talkback radio, that’s for sure.

During his time at the AFL, he effectively coached football in its entirety and, above all else, every decision he made was in the best interests of the game.

An agent of change — which was required to fix a broken game when he started four years ago — he didn’t endear himself to the traditional masses who detested change.

Introducing the 6-6-6 formation as well as the “stand’’ rule are the most contentious of his determinations, yet they have proved to be a healthy introduction to a game previously drowning in congestion.

The stand rule was christened to increase scoring but that hasn’t eventuated.

But football is much freer and a much better spectacle because of it.

Interchange rotations have declined under Hocking’s watch, so that’s a tick, and the ARC (review bunker) has alleviated some pain in score reviews.

There won’t be a ticker tape farewell parade for Hocking because being head of football is a thankless task and has been doubly so through these Covid-19 seasons.

Gillon McLachlan says Steven Hocking’s job was “brutal”. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan described the role as a “brutal job’’.

Hocking said: “It’s felt like dogs years in the past couple of years to be honest.’’

Fair-minded people would say Hocking was a success.

Internally, they say he was brilliant at his job: Strong-minded and caring.

His decision to send Adelaide’s David Mackay to the tribunal on a rough conduct charge for his collision with Saint Hunter Clark was widely criticised, but not once did Hocking apologise.

Because, he said, his job was always about protecting the players as well as the game.

Clearly, it takes a brawny character to stand against the football mob.

Hocking’s replacement will be found by due process, or at least the AFL’s processes.

The immediate name raised was Brad Scott — the former North Melbourne coach and current head of AFL Victoria — who has strong allies at headquarters.

Eighteen months ago, Scott was in limbo.

Now he’s linked with the Collingwood senior coaching role and with the top football job at headquarters. Time moves quickly.

A football person is required.

Steven Hocking in his days as a Geelong footballer.

Before Hocking, there was Mark Evans, who is now chief executive at Gold Coast. And before Evans, there was Adrian Anderson, a captain’s pick by former CEO Andrew Demetriou.

Craig Vozzo, who is head of football at the Eagles, and Chris Davies, who is head of football at Port Adelaide, are considered among the better club people and will likely be contenders for the role.

Maybe the AFL will try to prize an existing club CEO out of club land. Perhaps a Tom Harley from Sydney, who has football experience and industry-wide respect.

One club chief executive pondered whether the AFL job was a demotion for a CEO. Who knows, but it would certainly be less cosy.

The new man — or woman — would need to possess a strong conviction and, for a start, not like listening to talkback radio.

Maybe it’s a role for two people, such is the expanding portfolio, which includes the growing AFLW, the mental health space, concussion management, the various pathways and the east coast VFL.

It’s a massive responsibility.

Hocking’s decision to return to Geelong was a shock to many, but not those who were aware of his deep affection for his footy club.

He played and was an administrator at the Cats and, before he joined the AFL, was groomed for the CEO’s role when Cook moved him from football into commercial operations.

The small issue was Cook, like Hawks champ Shaun Burgoyne, wasn’t ready to retire.

Since Cook announced he was going, the Cats nailed Hocking as the obvious replacement. He won’t have come cheaply, either.

He departs the AFL with warm regards.

His work ethic matched the demands of the job and when Covid-19 sent football to Queensland last year, Hocking moved there for three months, living the protocol conditions like every player and official in the hub.

One observation was that he liked to “over consult”, that there were all manner of committees under his watch.

That was true, but he will be defined by the one single decision that was made by the man himself.

That’s the stand rule, which Hocking will forever argue has been significant in saving the game.

Originally published as Robbo: Departing AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking was a man of conviction, Brad Scott linked as possible replacements