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September 07, 2006
Scarlett Throws Support Behind Thompson
Scarlett or Cresswell? You decide...
Geelong's leadership group has thrown its weight behind embattled coach Mark Thompson.Matthew Scarlett, the club's full-back and best player, told the Herald Sun last night the overwhelming majority of players wanted Thompson to continue next year.
"He's the only man we want and we need him to coach next year," Scarlett said.
He warned he would quit the club if Thompson was dumped and replaced by Daryn Cresswell, who has been linked to the Cats since the announcement this week of his sudden departure from the Brisbane Lions.
"If Bomber got the arse and Daryn Cresswell came back, I'd be the first one to walk out," Scarlett said. "There's many others who would do the same thing, but I'm not prepared to name names."
Cresswell is a former assistant to Thompson at Geelong.
"We (the leadership group) are sick of all the stuff about not supporting Bomber. It's not true," Scarlett said.
The leadership group comprises Scarlett, Steven King, Cameron Ling, Tom Harley, Joel Corey, Paul Chapman and Cameron Mooney.
Scarlett said the players accepted responsibility for the embarrassing 61-point loss to Hawthorn at Telstra Dome on Sunday.
"It can't be a reflection on the coach," he said. "We played and we should cop the heat. We do need him and hopefully he's here next year."
Thompson's future is in the hands of chief executive Brian Cook, who is reviewing the club's operations for a comprehensive report and recommendation to the board.
Thompson is under contract for one more year, but his stocks were seen to dive on the back of Sunday's dismal effort.
The Cats have missed the final eight after finishing an unlucky fifth in 2005.
They finished 10th with 10 wins and a draw.
Meanwhile if Thompson stays Mackie might leave...
Mackie attracts interest from Port
The departures expected from Skilled Stadium in the coming weeks might begin unexpectedly with Andrew Mackie, the 22-year-old South Australian being courted by Port Adelaide after twice declining a new contract offer from Geelong.Mackie is understood to have attracted interest from both South Australian clubs who are aware that he deferred contract negotiations with Geelong mid-season and as recently as a fortnight ago refused to consider a two-year offer from the Cats.
The financial terms of the contract offered by Geelong to the 2002 first-round draftee are believed to be well below his expectations and a combination of the opportunity to return home, assurances of regular games and the turbulence at Geelong are understood to have Mackie leaning towards a move.
The fact that Port finished 12th this season and therefore holds fifth pick in the pre-season draft is also a factor.
Mackie played 14 games this year for a total of 37 in four seasons, a modest return that is believed to have frustrated the versatile 192-centimetre player who won't negotiate with Geelong until a review of the football department is completed by chief executive Brian Cook. The review, which is likely to be completed by the end of this month, is widely expected to result in a major shake-up in the wake of the team's troubled season and failure to reach the finals."The Geelong offer has been declined at this stage," Mackie's manager Anthony McConville said yesterday.
"The season has come to its end, which is when we indicated we would be happy to start talking again, but I don't think negotiations are likely to begin until the air has cleared down there.
"I think the outcome of the review needs to be seen first, so that Andrew can be certain about what he might or might not be agreeing to."
In other articles I've read but cannot find Kent Kingsley admits that he won't be Geelong player next season if Bomber is around & rumors of David Wojcinski looking to be traded having not signed a new contract.
Posted by Sammy D at September 7, 2006 12:07 PM