How curiosity and competitive juices keeps Chris Scott’s Geelong coaching career running

Two key traits are behind Chris Scott’s longevity as Geelong coach and that is proven by his next his move after winning the premiership.

The two traits that keeps two-time flag winning Geelong coach Chris Scott going are his competitive fire and willingness to learn, according to Cats chief executive Steve Hocking.

Carrying a premiership glow, Scott will lead the Cats into his 13th season in 2023, and he will draw within a handful of Reg Hickey for the most games as a Geelong coach.

Chris Scott and Steve Hocking share a chat. Picture: Alison Wynd

Of current head coaches, only Richmond’s Damien Hardwick has led his club longer than Scott.

The star coach jetted off to Stanford University in California after his premiership success, desperate to keep learning, and Hocking marvelled at Scott’s ability to keep improving and said that was one of the reasons he has kept coaching into a second decade in charge.

“He is very competitive. He is very, very competitive but he is curious and he is open to new learning,” Hocking said.

“The other thing is, this is a good place to show up and work. It is a good club.

“He will be at Stanford over the next couple of weeks and he will bring back a few things he will look to implement.”

Insiders at Geelong have long marvelled at Scott’s ability to pull the levers midgame and create a victory and he is widely regarded as one of the toughest coaches to beat on game day.

But he has been equally adept this year outside of the weekends, having worked closely with his players to set up a system that allows players to run their own programs.

Cats veterans are trusted to tick off the work they need to and then left to enjoy their lives outside of work.

Chris Scott fires a handball. Picture: Alison Wynd

Having returned to Geelong before this season after a stint with the AFL as its football boss, Hocking said he noticed how much Scott had grown.

“I think he has done an incredible job through two years of Covid,” Hocking said.

“I was working at the AFL during that period and it was an incredibly tough period. It was tough for everybody, right through the whole community but also right through the competition.

“He did a lot of heavy lifting through that period and I saw that from afar and I couldn’t be more impressed. And what it does do is it does take a toll on you energy wise.

“I think he has come through that and really grown over the last 12 months and I think he has taken learning from there.

“I think he is really open, very engaging and the players have enjoyed the empowerment he has given them. I think he has really grown as a coach.”

Originally published as How curiosity and competitive juices keeps Chris Scott’s Geelong coaching career running