North Melbourne chairman Ben Buckley backs Brad Scott to stay despite rival interest

NORTH Melbourne chairman Ben Buckley says he absolutely expects his in-demand coach Brad Scott to be at the helm of the Kangaroos again next year.

Brad Scott talks to his players during the clash against Fremantle.

NORTH Melbourne chairman Ben Buckley said he absolutely expected his in-demand coach Brad Scott to be at the helm of the Kangaroos again next year.

Scott is contracted until the end of 2018, but this week has been linked to potentially vacant positions at Collingwood and the Gold Coast.

Buckley said he had two responses to speculation about Scott and Collingwood.

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“One, I ignore it because it’s speculation on speculation,” he said.

“And secondly, I could imagine Brad is a coach in demand from other clubs because he is a very good coach.’’

Asked if he fully expected Scott to stay as coach, he said: “I’ve got no reason to expect he wouldn’t be.”

Brad Scott after talking to his players during quarter time against Fremantle.

As the commentary deepens on the future of Magpies coach Nathan Buckley, club chief executive Gary Pert sought to calm matters by telling the players and football staff a decision would be made on the football program until the end of the season.

At the Suns, a review of all football operations was revealed in the Herald Sun on Monday as the future of coach Rodney Eade once again came under question after the loss to Sydney.

Scott is considered by commentators a top contender to replace Buckley or Eade despite his contractual arrangements.

Ben Buckley’s support for Scott — an eight-year coach of the Kangas — was unwavering and he said the club would be keen to extend Scott’s contract.

“Of course we would consider that because he’s been an outstanding servant of the club,’’ Buckley said.

“But we’ll consider that in due course and when the time is right.

“Brad is contracted for another year, we’re very comfortable with the way the club is progressing under his leadership and direction.

“We’ll have discussions with him about the future at the appropriate time.”

Nathan Buckley is under pressure at Collingwood.

Rodney Eade is under pressure at Gold Coast.

Buckley would not reveal his position on an “appropriate time”.

“We don’t think it’s now, it will be some time in the future,” he said.

“He’s contracted for another year, I think he’s enjoying himself working towards a plan he was the key architect of.

“So we’re very happy with the progress of the team, his leadership, and when the time’s right we’ll have the conversation.”

The decision to leave North Melbourne would be Scott’s alone.

Earlier this year he indicated he would leave the club at the end of this season if he or the club believed his time had come.

“You should ask yourself that question all the time ... am I best the person to take the club forward,’’ Scott said.

Scott also said he had shown significant loyalty to North Melbourne over a long period of time.

“I will always do the best for North Melbourne,” he said.