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Geelong CEO “really happy” with the outcome of AFL probe into Scott’s club sponsor role
Lachlan Geleit • February 17th, 2025 6:37 pm
Geelong CEO Steve Hocking is ‘really happy’ with the outcome of the AFL’s review of Chris Scott’s third-party deal with club sponsor Morris Finance.
While SEN’s Sam Edmund reported that the league won’t reveal how the investigation played out, Hocking says that the existing deal between the sponsor and Scott hasn’t changed as a result of the review.
Under rules introduced in 2024, senior coaches can have 20 per cent of their salary paid outside of the soft cap. Scott’s role with Morris Finance is as Chief of Leadership and Performance.
Hocking says that the AFL investigated the deal after concerns over the use of league intellectual property. Edmund revealed that the initial issue was due to the company using a photo of Scott in Geelong kit to announce the new deal.
“Firstly, from Chris's point of view, he's got a really strong relationship with Morris Finance and it's a genuine relationship,” Hocking told SEN Afternoons.
“It's a deal that's been in place for some time now and there’s a range of areas that money can go into with the 20 per cent that sits outside the soft cap that benefits the coaches.
“It does need to be independent and that was the issue the AFL had with it and the reason why it was reviewed and looked into was just the basis that there was some club IP (intellectual property) that was utilised in that.
“We acknowledge that and we're really happy with the outcome of it.
“We’re not concerned at all, and we’ll continue to work with Morris, and Chris as well has got his own relationship with them as well.
“There’s no change at all (to the deal).”
According to Edmund, the AFL refused to reveal what decision was made from the Scott investigation as it would mean every player, staff and coach with a commercial arrangement would need to have their club’s cap position publicly stated – a door it does not wish to open.
