How Brad Scott became linked to the Brisbane coaching job is a mystery, writes Mark Robinson
UNLESS something miraculous happens in coming weeks, Brad Scott won’t be coaching Brisbane in 2017.
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UNLESS something miraculous happens in coming weeks, Brad Scott won’t be coaching Brisbane in 2017.
How his name became linked to the vacant Lions job is a matter of mystery, too.
The coach was flabbergasted when it was put to him on Fox Footy.
When asked about his name being linked to Brisbane, Scott initially didn’t understand the question.
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The Scott boys — Brad and Chris — can pull off a whole range of facial expressions, from anger to disbelief, to amusement, to probably even playing up for the camera.
And last night it was utter bewilderment.
“I didn’t know what you were talking about,” Scott said.
And by miraculous, we mean Scott walking out on his remaining two-year contract with the Kangaroos, or the club sacking Scott.
Neither will happen.
If you believe Scott is the kind of bloke to walk from a contract, then you don’t know Scott.
How could he be part of the decision to end the careers of Boomer Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo, and then walk himself?
No, Scott’s staying.
In fact, the Lions won’t even make a phone call to Scott unless the miracle unfolds.
The Lions are expected to finalise their coaching panel by the end of this week, but even then will be hamstrung in pursuing all the people they need to talk to for both the coaching and head of football roles.
As for the panel, the Lions are waiting on an answer from former Melbourne coach Paul Roos if he will be member, while it’s understood one of either Simon Black, Jonathan Brown and Alastair Lynch, all former players, will also be among its number. Black is favoured from that group.
A relationship/communication expert not necessarily from the sporting world could also help choose the next coach.
The Lions last week spoke to the most wanted man in football, Neil Balme, and although he expressed interest in the role of general manager of football, he is yet to decide whether he stays at Collingwood, joins traditional Richmond or will meet with the Richmond board challengers.
The Lions believe he will stay at Collingwood and Collingwood, meanwhile, is trying to convince him of the importance of his new role as director of coaching.
Then there’s the Gubby Allan situation. If Allan is suspended over the Lachie Whitfield affair — and it’s still only an if — then Balme becomes an even more important player at the Magpies. Out Allan. In Balme. However temporary.
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With David Noble (Adelaide) and Chris Fagan (Hawthorn) still in finals, the Lions are reluctant to make official contact. But at the same time, they want a head of football by the end of the month to help choose the coach.
North Melbourne’s Geoff Walsh is also a candidate.
While Fagan is the rage, he has not yet been approached by the Lions, but it’s understood he would entertain the senior coaching role.
Originally published as How Brad Scott became linked to the Brisbane coaching job is a mystery, writes Mark Robinson
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