Geelong coach Chris Scott appointed as Chief of Leadership at club sponsor

Chris Scott has moved into the world of finance, joining a Geelong based company in a new role.

Geelong rising cricket star Ollie Peake will be reunited with his former coach at the national under-19 championships in Adelaide in December.

Peake, who made two hundreds for Australia during a recent under-19 tour of India, has been named captain of the 14-player Country Victoria squad

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Peake made 186 runs from four innings in two Youth Tests at an average of 46, including a top core of 117.

He also scored 126 runs at an average of 63 and a highest score of 111 in two limited overs games.

However, former Geelong coach Nick Speak, who stepped down after the 2023-24 Victorian Premier season, will guide the under-19 Country Victoria team

Fellow Cat Zane Attard and Lincoln Koliba have also been included in the squad.

It comes as new Geelong coach Eamonn Vines said Peake was likely to be included for Round 3 against Camberwell.

Geelong coach’s new gig in finance

Geelong dual premiership coach Chris Scott is taking his leadership skills to the finance sector, landing a role with club partner Morris.

Scott, 48, has been announced as the ‘Chief of Leadership and Performance’ at Morris, which is based in Geelong.

Morris has been a partner with the Cats for 14 years, an official coaches sponsor of the club

and was a long-time player sponsor of champion goalkicker Tom Hawkins.

The company said in a statement that Scott will provide guidance to the Morris team and our broader stakeholder groups.

Scott said he is honoured to join Morris in the role.

Chris Scott is the new Chief of Leadership and Performance at Morris. Picture: Morris

“The values that Morris holds — integrity, ambition, and a commitment to fostering meaningful relationships — are the same values that have driven the Cats’ success on and off the field. I look forward to contributing to both Morris and the ongoing success of this remarkable partnership,” Scott said.

Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking welcomed the announcement.

“It underscores the enduring relationship between Geelong Football Club and Morris, which has only deepened over the past 14 years,” Hocking said.

“Morris has been more than a sponsor; they have been an integral part of our club’s journey, supporting our coaches and players. We look forward to many more years of collaboration and shared achievements.”

McDonald Reserve upgrade has a due date

A multi-million dollar upgrade of McDonald Reserve is expected to be completed by December, 2026, according to the City of Greater Geelong.

A tender for the $2.1m works was released by the council recently.

The works – which include redevelopment plans of the McDonald Reserve pavilion, a refurb of the existing home change rooms to meet AFL standards for women and girls, interchange benches, umpires change room, coaches box and timekeepers box – are due to begin in November next year.

However, the increasing number of womena and girls playing footy for home club South Barwon has placed additional pressure on facilities.

A council development plan identified poor pedestrian access and connectivity across the site; a lack of adequate parking on “busy game days”; no female friendly amenities within the football pavilion; poor access to the DDA toilet located at the netball pavilion and limited storage within both pavilions.

Kelpies take down New Zealand

A trio of Geelong netballers have helped the Australian Kelpies to their biggest win in six years.

Kelpies’ wing attack Riley Richardson drives for the pass during one of the men's international netball series between New Zealand Net Blacks and Australia Kelpies. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Riley Richardson, Brodie Roberts and Alastair Punshon and the men’s national team took game one of their Trans Tasman Cup series against New Zealand in Wellington on Sunday in dominating fashion, 84-34.

With all three in the starting seven, Roberts impressed in a half in goal attack, sinking 17 goals at 80.95 per cent accuracy as the Kelpies raced out to a 40-17 lead by the main break after dominating turnovers 22-9.

With coach Nerida Stewart looking to give her entire 12-player roster significant on-court minutes, Richardson, who last month led St Joseph’s A grade side to drought-breaking GFNL grand final appearance, featured across wing attack in the opening half, while Punshon held down a defensive posting as the Kelpies extended their lead at each break.

They’ll line up next in Auckland for game two of the four game series on Wednesday, before heading back to Australia with games three and four held in Canberra (Oct 26) and Melbourne (Oct 30).

Junior athlete ready for second crack at national titles

A local underwater hockey club has continued its fine tradition of producing national level competitors.

Four juniors and two Masters players from Geelong Underwater Hockey will represent the state at the national championships in Ballarat in January next year.

The club was formed in the late 1970s – more than 20 years after the game was invented in by the British Navy – by several local scuba clubs.

Lucas Cooke has become a skilled player for Geelong Underwater Hockey. Picture: Geelong Underwater Hockey.

According to national guidelines, the sport is played in a 25m x 15m pool that is up to three metres deep with 15 minutes halves, with six players in the pool and four on the sidelines that can sub in at any time.

Wearing large fins, a diving mask, snorkel and a glove, players use wooden bats to flick a lead puck several metres at a time.

And more than four decades later, Geelong is still producing young players who are excelling at the top level.

Geelong Underwater Hockey players Sarah Joordens and Lucas Cooke. Picture: Geelong Underwater Hockey.

One includes 12-year-old Lucas Cooke, who followed his father into the sport.

“After Covid lockdowns dad thought it would be a great way to spend some time together,” Lucas said.

“It’s such a fun sport to play with my friends. The people and the team are amazing.

“I love waters sports. I love the challenge of holding my breath and finding the right position to pass or score.”

Lucas said some strong advice early in his career has held him in good stead: “To push through when things feel tough. That your second and the third efforts are important for the team.”

He said his debut at the national championships earlier this year was his proudest achievement to date where Victoria finished third.

“I understand how special making this team is this year,” he said.

“I am proud to have the opportunity to play for Victoria. I am excited and ready to improve on where we finished last year.”

Lucas has become so skilled at the unique requirements of the sport, he has learned to swim 50m in one breath hold.

Geelong Underwater Hockey is based at the Handbury Centre in Geelong. More info: geelongunderwaterhockey.org.au/

Ocean Grove bowlers represents on national stage

Ocean Grove lawn bowler Jenny Keep has taken home gold with Victoria at last week’s Australian Senior Sides Championships.

Ocean Grove's Jenny Keep (second from left) skipped the best performing rink at the Australian Senior Sides Championships. Picture: Bowls Victoria

It marked a three-peat for Victoria’s women’s squad, with Keep achieving a top feat by skipping an unbeaten rink to be crowned the best performing rink at the championships in Tweed Heads.

Meanwhile Ocean Grove’s Matt Flapper took out two top honours representing Victoria at the Australian Sides Championships at the same venue.

Flapper was named Victoria’s men’s player of the series, with their squad — which boasted three rinks and also featured Ocean Grove bowlers Brad Pavey and Tyson Cromie — coming away with a third-place finish on Sunday.

Meanwhile Flapper’s rink, of which he lined up as third, recorded a particularly remarkable feat going undefeated across seven games to win gold as the best performed men’s rink across the championships.

Victoria’s women’s side also finished third at the championships.

Originally published as Geelong coach Chris Scott appointed as Chief of Leadership at club sponsor