After ruling himself out of the Carlton head coach role, Brad Scott made a stunning revelation about how far discussions went with the Blues.
Carlton has been dealt yet another crushing blow in their hunt for a new head coach, as Brad Scott was named as the AFL’s general manager of football.
Scott appeared to be a leading candidate for the vacancy at Carlton after Ross Lyon ruled himself out of the race, but the Blues’ search will now continue.
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Despite the constant links with himself and Carlton, Scott shockingly revealed he’d never engaged in discussions with Carlton, as there was only one party he was speaking with in recent weeks.
“We’re all grown up enough to understand that football clubs are going to cast the net far and wide,” Scott said.
“But no, we never got to the point where we [Carlton] had discussions.
“I’ve always been committed to the AFL.
“As I said, I came here for a reason and I was really keen to learn. I came as a relative novice in terms of the role that I went into, and I’ve learned a lot over the last 18 months.
“My firm belief is that you put 100 per cent into what you’re doing at the time.
“For me, that’s working in administration at the AFL, and potentially that means that that’s going to be where my future goes.
“So it was a big decision, but certainly didn’t get to the point where I was having discussions with anyone else but the AFL.
Scott left his post as head coach of North Melbourne in the 2019 season, before linking up with the competition as the head of AFL Victoria in 2020.
With the 45-year-old putting his coaching future on the backburner for the foreseeable future, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan praised Scott for the growth displayed in his administrative roles.
“Brad’s transition from coaching to administrator over the last 18 months has impressed everyone he has worked with, both within our organisation, across the 18 clubs and within community football in Victoria,” McLachlan said.
“Brad has first-hand experience in dealing with all aspects of AFL football, from coming through our talent pathway program, to premiership player, assistant coach, senior coach and most recently as AFL administrator, and his leadership and resilience throughout is what has set him apart.”
As part of Scott’s remit, he will oversee several departments including umpiring, the MRO and the tribunal.
Scott’s appointment is part of an internal shake-up at the AFL’s headquarters. Laura Kane was also appointed to the role of general manager of competition management.
Andrew Dillon, who was the AFL’s interim football department boss after Steve Hocking left the position, has been made permanent in his role.
With Ross Lyon removing himself from the head coach role and Alastair Clarkson remaining adamant on taking a year-long break from coaching, Scott looked to be odds-on favourite for the Carlton gig.
But with Scott’s future now locked away, Carlton will continue searching for the figure to take over after David Teague was sacked as a result of a club-wide review.
Teague took over as interim coach from sacked mentor Brendon Bolton midway through the 2019 season before being confirmed as senior coach the same year.
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