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No role for former Fremantle Dockers and St Kilda coach Ross Lyon at Geelong Cats

Oliver CaffreyAAP
Former St Kilda and Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has imparted some of his wisdom to Geelong powerbrokers but he will not be joining the Cats in a full-time job.
Camera IconFormer St Kilda and Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has imparted some of his wisdom to Geelong powerbrokers but he will not be joining the Cats in a full-time job. Credit: Quinn Rooney/via AFL Photos

Geelong has sought out Ross Lyon for advice but the former St Kilda and Fremantle coach will not be joining the Cats in an AFL role.

Lyon was among a number of experienced people new Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking has spoken to as he stamps his mark at the club.

There has been significant change at Kardinia Park since the Cats were thumped by Melbourne in the preliminary final.

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Assistant coaches Matthew Knights, Matthew Scarlett and Corey Enright have left, while Carlton great Eddie Betts has signed on in a development position.

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Hocking confirmed he and Geelong coach Chris Scott had spoken to Lyon as the Cats attempt to bounce back from their humiliating finals exit.

But Lyon, who was an early favourite to replace David Teague as Carlton coach, is likely to remain in the media.

 Ross Lyon.
Camera Icon Ross Lyon. Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

“Chris and Ross go back a long way,” Hocking told SEN.

“I’ve had a fair bit to do with Ross at the AFL.

“Ross was one of a number of people we’ve spoken to.

“One of the great things about Ross, which Chris and I both enjoyed, was he gave us an external view of what he sees as our football club.

“The potential opportunities that might be in front of us, where the game’s going.

“I was very appreciative of the time he gave us and the insight he provided us and he was a good sounding board.”

 Steve Hocking.
Camera Icon Steve Hocking. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Scott’s two-year contract extension is a mere formality but Hocking said the Cats were not in a position to announce anything yet.

The new deal will secure Scott through to the end of the 2024 season, and put him on track to become Geelong’s longest-serving coach.

“(Scott’s) a smart coach, we’re going to put some new people around him,” Hocking said.

“Clearly I’ve got some thoughts on what we need to do, and at the moment my focus has been in the first few weeks down in football.

“By the end of this week, my eyes will come up and I’ll be engaging in other parts of the club.”

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