Happy for him to do what he's doing; says a lot about his value that the cats want him to stay on as they push for a flag.

The only good thing about them winning it would be that we then get a coach who has just climbed the mountain.

Also happy for him to passively sabotage their tilt this year by having his mind on his new gig.

God I despise Geelong, but am stoked we've nabbed one of them who is not an ice dealer

I hope King has taken on board the antics of the gutter mouth and finger pointer that thinks, life and football is all about him, and no one else . He is no hero and that rag (HS) should be ashamed . The cats are usually more disciplined , I think we need a big more uncomplicated discipline and commitment to the club and each other.

This might apply to supporters, players and officials . Been impressed with the no leaks policy. Good news only please.

But I am a grumpy old man that thinks the world is stuffed!

Would I like Steven to start immediately, Yes but do I respect him for not deserting his current team as they head into a preliminary final where he is in charge of the critical midfield- Yes. Shows that his current Coach trusts him implicitly, is that the sort of man we want - Yes.👍

12 hours ago, Clayton van Oliver said:

Also happy for him to passively sabotage their tilt this year by having his mind on his new gig.

Seems he’s had his mind on it for a while. He was at the Casey vs Williamstown elimination final three weeks ago, taking notes. He must be keen since he went to Casey Fields… voluntarily. Who does that?! 😜

4 hours ago, 640MD said:

I hope King has taken on board the antics of the gutter mouth and finger pointer that thinks, life and football is all about him, and no one else . He is no hero and that rag (HS) should be ashamed . The cats are usually more disciplined , I think we need a big more uncomplicated discipline and commitment to the club and each other.

This might apply to supporters, players and officials . Been impressed with the no leaks policy. Good news only please.

But I am a grumpy old man that thinks the world is stuffed!

Sorry, but I have no idea what your first paragraph is about, 64OMD.

1 hour ago, Fanatique Demon said:

Sorry, but I have no idea what your first paragraph is about, 64OMD.

That makes hundreds of us 😁

1 hour ago, Fanatique Demon said:

Sorry, but I have no idea what your first paragraph is about, 64OMD.

Actually I think my buddy 640MD is referring to that vain, arrogant POS Bailey Smith.

I voted "yes", but my answer may have been different in the unlikely event that a hypothetical new appointee happened to be coaching against his new team in a Preliminary or Grand Final

22 hours ago, kurtneverdied said:

Ummm.. there was a reason to have a head coach appointment by now and no later. Obviously we need him to tick of which players to keep and target as well as recruit assistants.

Ummm ... no we don't. We have a whole department whose responsibility is List Management. We even have a List Management committee. The senior coach has input to all this - as do a whole range of people across the FD - but this idea that he has to "tick off" players that we're keeping or targeting is just cloud cuckoo land stuff and nothing to do with the reality of how AFL clubs operate.

22 hours ago, monoccular said:

He will be with us throughout the trade and draft periods (even thought he isn’t the list manager he will have the usual input)).

Which may or may not include the occasional "just-catching-up" coffee with opposition players.

54 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Ummm ... no we don't. We have a whole department whose responsibility is List Management. We even have a List Management committee. The senior coach has input to all this - as do a whole range of people across the FD - but this idea that he has to "tick off" players that we're keeping or targeting is just cloud cuckoo land stuff and nothing to do with the reality of how AFL clubs operate.

The club openly stated we needed to to have our senior coach before the start of the 2025 AFL trade period to ensure the coach was involved in shaping the playing list.

That's fact not cuckoo.

2 hours ago, kurtneverdied said:

The club openly stated we needed to to have our senior coach before the start of the 2025 AFL trade period to ensure the coach was involved in shaping the playing list.

That's fact not cuckoo.

Here's what you originally posted:

"Obviously we need him to tick of which players to keep."

Given that we've already delisted 6 players, that horse has bolted.

The only thing,apart from a couple of hidden ranches, that he could bring from Geelong is two distinctive pairs of goal kicking boots.

45 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Here's what you originally posted:

"Obviously we need him to tick of which players to keep."

Given that we've already delisted 6 players, that horse has bolted.

The trade period hasn't started yet and that also includes player movements. Delistings were the easiest part.

9 hours ago, bing181 said:

Here's what you originally posted:

"Obviously we need him to tick of which players to keep."

Given that we've already delisted 6 players, that

Just now, DeeZone said:

  10 hours ago, bing181 said:

Here's what you originally posted:

Could be a couple more to go bing181 according to reports King did a list assesment during the interview process.

15 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I voted "yes", but my answer may have been different in the unlikely event that a hypothetical new appointee happened to be coaching against his new team in a Preliminary or Grand Final

If he was going to a rival (which why would a rival in finals be hiring a new coach, but anyways) they'd march him immediately, even if in H&A and say the team was in finals contention or they played that team in run home, then yeah different story. But I think that caveat speaks for itself is all.

10 hours ago, kurtneverdied said:

The trade period hasn't started yet and that also includes player movements. Delistings were the easiest part.

Correct.

No real need to start now. he'd already be doing work outside Geel hours, List mgmt team would be in contact with him regularly via numerous comm forms and they do bulk of the work -- Asst Coaches and Richo assist w/delisting, it is also why clubs meet that one day LW -- to discuss delisted players to garner if any value for players they're potentially delisting before making final calls.

I'm glad Kingy gets to finish his Geelong work, he deserves shot at another flag and MORE importantly its a great thing for him to gain more experience preparing a quality side for a prelim, GF to then take to Melb. These sort of pressure cooker games are worth EONS to new head coaches so the fact he is adding another Prelim to his CV is massive development, experience, process-driving wins for us!

On 13/09/2025 at 07:04, Unqualified opinion said:

Started with what is the role of an assistant and whether its doable in a somewhat reduced capacity. That is, if their structures and game plans are imbedded then it’s only in game tactical changes that need 100% focus to execute at the right time.

I was thinking about this recently. Specifically, what is the daily work of an assistant coach, and does it change over time?

Coaching sounds like a consuming job. But, as you say @Unqualified opinion , if you're doing it well, there comes a point where some of the most important stuff is deeply ensconsed. Game-day observations and tactics seem like a vital component, but what about the rest of the week? I imagine there is a lot of discussion - a lot of 'checking in' with players in your 'line', others players and fellow coaches. And of course training. What else?

The thought came from a probably naive question: would King have time in the week to turn his mind to his new job. Or would he be flat out doing Geelong stuff?

On 13/09/2025 at 09:32, Palace Dees said:

It seems like you are.

You can't equate AFL coaching to any other job. As soon as he applied, his mind was with the new role, it has to be. If not, he doesn't get the gig (hello Nathan).

With respect to you, to say the job starts next year, is laughable.

A few days after grand final is not next year. What's the solution? Nowadays after a midyear sacking few teams try to do anything more than use their assistant coach as caretaker / stopgap. Like we just did for obvious reasons clubs interview assistant coaches busy with another team still in contention for the flag. I'm sure Scott and Fagan would have preferred their assistants, already busy, not to have given up a huge number of valuable hours making a full-on professional presentation for our coach position. So what then? Should Melbourne have started the process in October, either rushing it or going into trade period without a coach? Surely not! So should Scott forbid his assistants from applying for jobs preOctober? I don't think they'd appreciate that , even if every team had that rule . Similarly in an even year with as good as four equal favourites right now imagine your brilliant assistant resigning right now and hence an elusive flag is missed. I really don't understand the argument against someone like King having this strange transition period in two roles. I'm sure he's not sabotaging Geelong or is too focused on us. If coaches want the best assistants and clubs for their new coach want the best assistants there just has to be this compromised, limbo period like King's currently in. If not, what's the alternative?!

Edited September 15Sep 15 by Go Ds

On 13/09/2025 at 18:17, Ghostwriter said:

Exactly. Why is he expected to be physically at our club when all his charges are on holidays? What’s he supposed to be doing right now?

This is how I see it: he’s loyal and committed to Geelong right now. Therefore loyalty and commitment are things we know we’ll get from him when he officially starts with us. If he jumped ship now, with Geelong preparing for a prelim, I would question his resolve .

Imagine if one of our assistant coaches up and left immediately a week out from a prelim. We’d be livid.

HEY !!!!!! This is a world record for the Doubters . The Bloke hasn't even started and people are into him. Even before his appointment, the bloke has a terrific reputation around the AFL,

Do you honestly reckon the person is not professional enough to follow through his comittment to his current employer i.e. Geelong until the end of the season. I assume we have picked him for his competence and loyalty. Based on the arguments of some, Assistant Coaches cannot apply for a Head Coach job UNTIL the season after He finishes.

This was brought up in the Media conference where he said that Today is Melbourne Day and then I am are locked in to Geelong for the rest of the season !!! Get real !!!

2 hours ago, dimmy said:

HEY !!!!!! This is a world record for the Doubters . The Bloke hasn't even started and people are into him. Even before his appointment, the bloke has a terrific reputation around the AFL,

Do you honestly reckon the person is not professional enough to follow through his comittment to his current employer i.e. Geelong until the end of the season. I assume we have picked him for his competence and loyalty. Based on the arguments of some, Assistant Coaches cannot apply for a Head Coach job UNTIL the season after He finishes.

This was brought up in the Media conference where he said that Today is Melbourne Day and then I am are locked in to Geelong for the rest of the season !!! Get real !!!

HEY!!!! You’re yelling at the wrong person. I’m on the same page as you, silly bugger

2 hours ago, Go Ds said:

A few days after grand final is not next year. What's the solution? Nowadays after a midyear sacking few teams try to do anything more than use their assistant coach as caretaker / stopgap. Like we just did for obvious reasons clubs interview assistant coaches busy with another team still in contention for the flag. I'm sure Scott and Fagan would have preferred their assistants, already busy, not to have given up a huge number of valuable hours making a full-on professional presentation for our coach position. So what then? Should Melbourne have started the process in October, either rushing it or going into trade period without a coach? Surely not! So should Scott forbid his assistants from applying for jobs preOctober? I don't think they'd appreciate that , even if every team had that rule . Similarly in an even year with as good as four equal favourites right now imagine your brilliant assistant resigning right now and hence an elusive flag is missed. I really don't understand the argument against someone like King having this strange transition period in two roles. I'm sure he's not sabotaging Geelong or is too focused on us. If coaches want the best assistants and clubs for their new coach want the best assistants there just has to be this compromised, limbo period like King's currently in. If not, what's the alternative?!

I'm not sure why so many here feel they have to defend Kings appointment when it's not really being attacked.

My post was simply highlighting the innaccuay of the comment that the job starts next year, which as you say, is certainly not the case.

This topic was started as a poll. For what it's worth, I voted c. Yes, but you're distracted. Only 7% have said no!

Personally, I am happy with the appointment. The timing can't be helped and the club and King have handled it well.

Of course he can do both jobs for 2 weeks, but he has to be at least a little distracted in this time. Yesterday 'we' was Melbourne, today it's Geelong.

Ideally, for his mindset, it would be better if his current team was out of finals, but it may be a boost for us if he is instrumental in being part of a premiership coaching team. Think of the learnings! 😉

Remember, the poll qustion is: Can current assistant coaches, who are still in finals still operate with integrity and intent with their current team whilst applying and potentially becoming announced as senior coach

Edited September 16Sep 16 by Palace Dees
additional info

55 minutes ago, Palace Dees said:

I'm not sure why so many here feel they have to defend Kings appointment when it's not really being attacked.

My post was simply highlighting the innaccuay of the comment that the job starts next year, which as you say, is certainly not the case.

This topic was started as a poll. For what it's worth, I voted c. Yes, but you're distracted. Only 7% have said no!

Personally, I am happy with the appointment. The timing can't be helped and the club and King have handled it well.

Of course he can do both jobs for 2 weeks, but he has to be at least a little distracted in this time. Yesterday 'we' was Melbourne, today it's Geelong.

Ideally, for his mindset, it would be better if his current team was out of finals, but it may be a boost for us if he is instrumental in being part of a premiership coaching team. Think of the learnings! 😉

Remember, the poll qustion is: Can current assistant coaches, who are still in finals still operate with integrity and intent with their current team whilst applying and potentially becoming announced as senior coach

Ok. At first I just felt the poll question was just a silly, pointless piece of diversion and overthinking. But sometimes great ideas can grow from such games ( and, my, especially on the internet so many refuse to do the intellectual equivalent of walking from their bed to their couch each day.)

I still feel that there's no real problem with King in his current situation. One can be a husband, father, son, friend, employee all at once yet separately. Most people can go from being a waiter on Friday and starting at a law firm or primary school or hospital on Monday in a brand new career and most people could go from a similar role in an insurance company to one in an electronics one. I'm sure when Neal-Bullen was traded or Billings delisted they weren't privy to Melbourne's plans for the following year. Neither will Scott be discussing such stuff with King. But overall the transition from different companies is not particularly problematic.

1 hour ago, Go Ds said:

Ok. At first I just felt the poll question was just a silly, pointless piece of diversion and overthinking. But sometimes great ideas can grow from such games

Timeframe wise, the poll was started prior to the appointment.

I’m pretty critical of lack/limited flexible thinking and also operating in a contemporary world.

Essentially, in reading posts about the candidates, there was a clear dichotomy of beliefs of how an incumbent coach in finals could ALSO be appointed and still operate to an acceptable level etc etc. So I wanted to stimulate healthy debate.

I was intrigued your ‘drive by’ at the beginning.

Good on you for reflecting on your judgements… it appears I’m ahead of the curve even if it’s not clear for some. 😘

Edited September 16Sep 16 by Engorged Onion