Brad Scott is loyal and won’t turn his back on North Melbourne, writes Mark Robinson

SUCH is Brad Scott’s sense of loyalty, the only way he’d be coaching Brisbane next year is if North Melbourne decided to sack him, writes MARK ROBINSON.

Brisbane Lions won’t speak to Brad Scott about its coaching job. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

BRAD Scott’s sense of loyalty would always stop him from jumping ship at the Kangaroos and being a contender for the Brisbane coaching job.

But that’s not to say he won’t coach the Lions.

The ball is in North Melbourne’s court.

If it sacks Scott, who has two years to run on his coaching contract, then, yes, Scott would be a late candidate for the role many believe already has Chris Fagan’s name on it.

If the Kangas don’t move on Scott, then Scott won’t be ­moving on them.

Loyalty has always been a Scott trademark — to ­family, friends and employers.

His long-time great mate, Stephen Powell, the former Bulldogs, Melbourne and St Kilda player, said yesterday he had read and listened to the commentary on Scott and Brisbane, and described it as ­“garbage’’.

“You’re 100 per cent right — he is loyal, and I don’t know if I have any stories for you,’’ Powell said.

“But it’s absolute garbage about Brisbane. He is a North Melbourne person, he’s got a contract, why would he envisage going up to Brisbane? It’s just garbage.’’

Brad Scott says he’s committed to North Melbourne. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Powell was confident despite not even having spoken to Scott.

“I’ve not asked him about it, not had one conversation, but I’d sell my house if he went,’’ he said.

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The Lions, who are interviewing coaching candidates this week, had not planned to speak to Scott.

Lions chief executive Greg Swann should remember Scott’s loyalty.

At the end of 2006, when Scott retired after 146 games with the Lions, which included the 2001 and 2002 premierships, he was interviewed by Collingwood for an assistant coaching role.

Swann was chief executive at the Pies and Scott had agreed to join the club, but did not immediately sign a contract.

Graeme Allan, then general manager of football at Brisbane, heard of Collingwood’s interest and offered Scott a similar role with more money to stay at the Lions.

Scott told Allan no, he had already given his word to Swann. It’s a story Swann has not ­forgotten.

Such is the conjecture around Scott, 40, joining Brisbane that Wikipedia already has updated its profile on Scott to include: “It is likely Brad Scott will leave the North Melbourne Football Club to coach the Brisbane Lions in 2017.’’

It’s all news to Scott.

“I’ve always been fully committed to North Melbourne,” he said on Channel 7 on Monday night.

“I’ve been at the club for a fair period of time now. I’ve invested enormously in the club and they in me as a young, 33-year-old coach at the time.

“I’m contracted for a further two years and I’ve always maintained I’ll do the best thing for North Melbourne and while they think that’s me, then that’s where I’ll be.”

By the way, Fagan was wound into $1.70 on betting markets on Tuesday.

Originally published as Brad Scott is loyal and won’t turn his back on North Melbourne, writes Mark Robinson