The Geelong Football Club is pleased to announce that Steve Hocking has been appointed as the club’s new Chief Executive. The appointment follows a thorough recruitment process led by Egon Zehnder. Hocking will commence in the role at the completion of the 2021 season. 

Hocking is a highly regarded AFL administrator and leader with more than 30 years’ experience in the AFL Industry.

He began his career at the club as a player in 1984 and went on to play 199 games, retiring after the 1994 AFL Grand Final. Hocking returned to the club as chairman of selectors in 2004 and quickly assumed the key role of Assistant General Manager – Football Operations. In 2014, Hocking was appointed as the club’s General Manager -Commercial, before returning to the football department as General Manager - Football in 2015. 

Hocking was appointed General Manager - Football Operations at the AFL in 2017. In this key role, Hocking has led the operations of the AFL and AFLW competition, the Laws of the Game, Match Review Panel and Tribunal systems, Umpiring at the elite level, key talent pathways and elite coaching development programs.

“Steve Hocking’s deep football and commercial experience is the perfect combination for our next CEO,” Geelong Football Club President Craig Drummond said.

“I am confident that Steve’s values-based leadership, discipline and focus will continue to drive a culture of high performance and success for the club. As a strong advocate for the AFL industry, Steve has driven higher standards across all elements of football, including the quality of the game, diversity, and the mental health of all industry participants. We are delighted to welcome Steve back to the club.”

Hocking will assume the CEO role from the club’s current CEO, the highly respected Brian Cook.

Cook has led the club for the past 23 years as CEO and in this time has rebuilt the Cats finances, executed four stadium redevelopments at GMHBA Stadium, and he was instrumental in securing funding for the final stage of the redevelopment, that will commence later this year. Cook has presided over one of the most successful on field periods in the club’s history. The club also expanded to include the women’s program over the past five years.

“I did at this time want to recognise the extraordinary contributions that Brian has made to the club,” Drummond said.

“Under his leadership, Brian has transformed the Geelong Football Club. On behalf of the board, the staff, our members, sponsors, and key stakeholders, thank you Brian for your leadership, service and legacy to our club. I also am delighted to confirm that Brian has agreed to continue his great service to the club in an advisory role from 2022. The club will formally recognise and celebrate Brian’s contributions as CEO later this year.”