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Sport Nation
Scott slams old timers over AFL "secret meetings"
Jaiden Sciberras • April 3rd, 2025 7:02 pm
Two-time Geelong premiership coach Chris Scott has slammed critics for criminalising West Coast’s Oscar Allen’s meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.
The Eagles co-captain met with Mitchell during Hawthorn’s bye week, discussing potential free agency ahead of the key forward’s contract expiry at the end of the 2025 season.
Allen has suffered a barrage of negative attention as a result of the meeting, with many calling for the Eagle to be stripped of his captaincy for seeking alternate options while supposedly leading the club.
Scott has stood firm on the controversy, stating his belief that speaking with other clubs during a contract year is far from an issue.
“I rail against this idea that we need to modify all our behaviour because of the perception that other people dictate,” Scott said.
“One, grow up, the old timers who just can’t bare this stuff that opposition teams could be talking to their teammates... is it a good look?
“The people who don’t like it probably don’t know the system that well.
“Is it a good look? I would kind of say get with the program, but it’s kind of good fodder, isn’t it?”
Scott has stood firm on the controversy during his Round 4 press conference, stating his belief that speaking with other clubs during a contract year is far from an issue.
“I rail against this idea that we need to modify all our behaviour because of the perception that other people dictate,” Scott said.
“One, grow up, the old timers who just can’t bare this stuff that opposition teams could be talking to their teammates.
“Is it a good look? The people who don’t like it probably don’t know the system that well.
“I would kind of say get with the program, but it’s kind of good fodder, isn’t it?”
Speaking on the issue, Scott believes that those who have an issue with Allen’s actions are old-fashioned.
“I would argue anyone who played footy before 2000 hates it, and anybody who started playing after 2010 is probably OK with it,” he said.
“I would argue that the people who have the biggest issue here and are trying to project their difficulty of these sorts of situations based on their experience in 1987, aren’t really reflecting what and how the players of today actually operate.
“I don’t think we give them enough credit for their ability to walk and chew gum at the same time.
“But if any West Coast players that have an issue with Oscar Allen should grow up... sorry if that sounded harsh.”
Scott also cited small forward Tyson Stengle, who spoke with Ross Lyon at St Kilda prior to re-signing with the Cats in 2024.
“He’s a free agent,” he said.
“Is the expectation at our club that Tyson comes to me and says: ‘Oh Chris, is it OK?
“No, of course not, you’re an individual, we accept that it is happening.”
