North Melbourne faces $800,000 payout to departed ex-coach Brad Scott if he doesn’t coach in 2020
When Brad Scott and North Melbourne parted ways, it was anticipated he would be a frontrunner for any vacant role at another club. That situation has changed. Mark Robinson on why that’s a big problem for the Roos.
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North Melbourne faces an $800,000 hit if Brad Scott doesn’t coach another club next year.
Under terms of his departure agreement, Scott would be paid his contracted salary for the 2020 season by the Kangaroos in the event he wasn’t able to secure a senior role.
A clubs spokesman said yesterday: “We will not discuss the contractual situation with Brad Scott.”
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It’s understood the Kangaroos are now fearful they may have to include Scott’s salary in next year’s soft cap, as well as the salary of its next coach, which is expected to be current interim Rhyce Shaw.
If Scott doesn’t get a job, the combined coaching salary of Scott and Shaw would be between $1.2 million and $1.3 million.
When quizzed about the situation at today’s press conference to announce Shaw as North Melbourne’s new coach, Buckley said: “We are not going to comment on the specifics of anyone’s contract ... we certainly have got the capacity to deal with anything that we might have to deal with ... and that we can deal with that in the soft cap.”
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If John Longmire had accepted North Melbourne’s offer — he rejected it and signed a three-year extension with Sydney — the combined salary would have potentially been $2 million.
In any case, if the Roos have to pay Scott, it would be a crippling blow to their football department spend.
When Scott and the Kangaroos parted ways in May, it was anticipated he would be a frontrunner for any vacant role.
That situation has changed drastically.
David Teague’s success at Carlton — and growing adulation with Blues fans and players — makes it extremely unlikely Blues powerbrokers would appoint Scott ahead of Teague.
But Scott is expected to be asked to be interviewed for the vacant St Kilda role, currently occupied by former Blues coach Brett Ratten.
The Saints have said a “rigorous process” would be undertaken.
Scott had been linked to the Saints job because of his close friendship with their football boss Simon Lethlean.
But the Saints dismissed speculation Scott was already lined up to be the new coach.
On the day Alan Richardson departed St Kilda, chief executive Matt Finnis said: “I haven’t spoken to Brad and perhaps I’ll address that, because I’m obviously aware of the reports.
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“The reality is this is a critical decision for our football club and any suggestions that those kinds of decisions get made on the basis of a friendship or a connection should just be absolutely disregarded.
“Everyone at our football club believes in strong, good governance. This is a critical decision that puts us on the path to winning our next premiership. We will make sure we get it right.''
It's possible other senior roles could open in South Australia and at Fremantle, where Scott would likely be a candidate.,
It's also understood Scott, who is currently a stay-at-home dad, is considering taking 12 months away from football.
If that happened, North Melbourne would be footing the bill.
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