Geelong hasredefined a number of coaching and administrative roles ahead of the 2015seasons. Highlighting the changes will be a return of club great MatthewScarlett to the Cats’ coaching group.
One ofGeelong’s favourite sons, Scarlett has returned in a part-time developmentcoaching role. He will work mainly with the club’s young players as they forgethe early stages of their AFL careers.
“We have made anumber of changes that we feel offer greater role clarity to our coaching groupand highlight the strengths of our staff,” Geelong's general manager offootball Steve Hocking said.
“The club has agroup of talented coaches who bring unique qualities to their roles. They workwell together and with our players. Adding Matthew Scarlett, one of thegreatest players of all time, to our group provides another quality coach forour players. It is evident already that Scarlo is as excited to be back as weare to have him.”
Scarlettretired after the 2012 season with 284 games, three premierships and six AllAustralian selections to his credit. He spent the past two seasons with theWestern Bulldogs as a development coach and now returns to Simonds Stadium.
Paul Hood hasbeen appointed academy and VFL coach in a role that will encompass coachingGeelong’s VFL team, combined with coaching in the club's academy program. Hoodhas previous coaching experience, having guided the Geelong Falcons in the TACCup in 2010 after two seasons as assistant at the club.
Shane O’Breewill transition into a role as development coach and will head up the advancedskill development program undertaken by the club's young and emerging players,while Max Rooke will continue in his role as development coach..
Matthew Knightsand Nigel Lappin will now work predominantly with the Cats midfielders. BlakeCaracella will take on attack and defense strategy.
Dale Amos willcontinue to work with the club’s defenders and will also work with the highperformance unit around training strategy. James Rahilly will mentor theforwards and will also join the club’s list management committee as a permanentmember after being heavily involved in recent years.
Troy Selwoodwill move into a new role as Academy and VFL manager and Ben Waller who hasserved as VFL football manager for over a decade including three VFLpremierships, will take up a new role as football administration manager.
SophiaSamartzis moves into the role of football operations manager, and will workclosely with newly appointed GM of football Steve Hocking to manage thefootball program.
