Brad Scott

Former Kangaroos coach tipped as leading candidate for Magpies job

“There is every chance he will put himself into the process for the Collingwood Football club, and if he does I reckon he’d be a very good chance to get that job.”

Published by
Mitch Keating

Former North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has been tipped as the leading contender to take over the reigns as Collingwood's next senior coach.

Scott was previously identified by the Magpies as one of two key candidates to lead the club following Nathan Buckley's resignation last month, with the other name at the time being now incoming Hawks coach Sam Mitchell.

While Mitchell is out of the race, Collingwood are sure to have several other key names on their list, with Scott believed to be the leading contender for the job according to senior reporter Caroline Wilson.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Kangaroos head coach Brad Scott walks off after speaking at at three quarter time during the round eight AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Geelong Cats at Marvel Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Speaking on Footy Classified this week, Wilson stated that Scott is understood to be showing some desire to return to the coaching ranks, and would find himself a good chance should he opt for the Magpies vacancy.

"Collingwood have certainly contacted Craig Kelly, the manager of Brad Scott - currently head of AFL Victoria at the AFL, and also a frontrunner to replace Steve Hocking as the head of footy at the AFL,"

"Brad Scott has to make up his mind, [on] which job he's going to go for.

"What I'm hearing from people at the AFL is that perhaps Brad hasn't lost the hunger to coach and that there is every chance he will put himself into the process for the Collingwood Football club, and if he does I reckon he'd be a very good chance to get that job.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Brad Scott, Senior Coach of the Kangaroos addresses his players during the 2019 AFL round 03 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 07, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

"He enjoyed working at Collingwood, working under Mick Malthouse, he's got a great relationship with the footy cub, he doesn't have the doubts about the club at all with the issues going on there that others have, so it's going to be intriguing to see what he chooses to do."

Richmond assistant Adam Kingsley is also reportedly growing in favouritism by the Magpies, while former AFL senior coaches Michael Voss, Don Pyke and Mark Williams have also been linked to succeed Nathan Buckley.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 30: Adam Kingsley, Midfield/Stoppages Coach of the Tigers addresses his players during the 2021 AFL Round 07 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Western Bulldogs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 30, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

St Kilda great Robert Harvey currently holds the interim post at the Holden Centre, but has found the start to his senior coaching career difficult - amassing a 1-3 record.

Despite the growing list of potential suitors, Wilson added that Scott would be the pick of the bunch.

"I don't know if Brad's been spoken to but I know the club have said they want to talk to Brad Scott," Wilson said.

"If I had to pick a front-runner, I would say [it's Brad Scott]."

Former Magpies president Eddie McGuire lauded Scott for his time as an assistant at Collingwood over a decade ago, while stating his beliefs that the club won't have an issue in luring their ideal target.

"He's very well respected at Collingwood from his time back there in 2009," McGuire said.

"I think the club is going well enough that they'll say who they want and that person will probably say yes.

"I don't think there's any worries if you're going to coach Collingwood."

Published by
Mitch Keating