AFL launches investigation into Geelong coach Chris Scott’s new job

A week after the announcement of Chris Scott’s new job away from football, the AFL has launched an investigation.

Geelong premiership coach Chris Scott is reportedly being investigated over his new role with a finance firm.

It was announced last week Scott had accepted the position as chief of leadership and performance at Morris Finance, a company that also happens to be a major, long-term sponsor of the Cats.

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In a chat with 7NEWS at the time of the announcement, the 48-year-old Scott bristled at the suggestion people would speculate the deal would help save money in the club’s football department soft salary cap.

“Well, people like you are more than entitled to ask that question,” Scott said.

“But it’s one that should be directed at the AFL.

“They will give you a clear answer.”

Chris Scott upon his appointment at Morris Finance. Picture: Morris

The two-time flag winning coach effectively laughed off any suggestion of an issue with AFL headquarters, adding: “You obviously wouldn’t go into something unless you were crystal clear on how it was all supposed to work.”

There is now uncertainty over the arrangement, however, with the AFL conducting its own inquiry into the deal.

Morris Finance has reportedly sponsored Geelong for 14 years and been a direct partner of Scott for the past five.

“The league tracks all third-party deals,” 7NEWS reporter Mitch Cleary said. “But will make (direct) queries around the implications (of this arrangement) on Geelong’s soft cap.

“The league will ask ‘should all or part of Scott’s deal with Morris Finance be included in the soft cap?’ and ‘is this role different to an arrangement he’s had with Morris in previous years?’”

Scott appeared very comfortable with the arrangement. Photo: Michael Klein

Scott has coached the Cat since 2011. Photo: Michael Klein

Scott certainly appeared comfortable about the situation when he stated he could help the finance company, which had “certainly helped us in the way we think about how we drive performance”.

“It really is just the formalisation of something we’ve been working on for a long time,” he said.

There was a mixed response to the development on social media.

“Thought they signed off on it?” was one comment to the news on X.

“How would he have the time in his days/weeks/months/year to dedicate any kind of meaningful contribution to this company?” asked another.

“Apparently Chris Scott won’t discuss the incident as he hasn’t seen it,” joked another, a reference to his common response to on-field incidents.

Originally published as AFL launches investigation into Geelong coach Chris Scott’s new job