Geelong have followed suit after Collingwood and Adelaide extended the contracts of their AFL coaches, with Chris Scott getting a new three-year deal from the Cats. And it’s set to take the long-time coach to some stunning AFL history.
Already the longest-serving coach in Geelong history, the 49-year-old Scott has extended his deal until the end of 2029. He’s coached the Cats for 360 games across 15 seasons, leading the club to four grand finals and two premierships.
Geelong and Collingwood have both extended the contracts of coaches Chris Scott (L) and Craig McRae (R). Image: Getty
His new deal means Scott will become just the fourth coach in AFL/VFL history to lead one club for 400 games. Collingwood legend Jock McHale (713) and Essendon pair Kevin Sheedy (634) and Dick Reynolds (415) are the others.
He’ll go past Reynolds if he sees out the full length of his new contract, and is edging towards the top-10 for games coached all-time. Mick Malthouse holds the record with 718 games across a four-club coaching career.
Scott’s career win percentage is 68 per cent – the best mark of anyone in AFL/VFL history with at least 100 games coached. The two-time All-Australian coach will lead Victoria in the revamped State of Origin game against Western Australia in February.
Chris Scott led Geelong to the AFL grand final in 2025. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Collingwood and Adelaide extend coaches’ contracts
Scott’s extension comes after Collingwood and Adelaide made the same move with their coaches this week. The Crows have extended Matthew Nicks until the end of 2027, while Craig McRae will remain Magpies coach until the end of 2028.
Nicks will take charge for his seventh season at the Crows in 2026 after leading the club to the minor premiership in 2025. “We have been working to a clear and deliberate strategy since deciding on a list rebuild several years ago and we have trust in our program,” Adelaide’s chief executive Tim Silvers said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Matthew has done a great job in that time and he has built a strong, positive culture in which our people are thriving. We believe in him and, importantly, we have alignment on our vision for the future. We are starting to see rewards both in results and the development and progression of our young talent, and our challenge now is to maintain that momentum.”
Matthew Nicks has received a contract extension with the Adelaide Crows. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Collingwood president Barry Carp said of McRae’s etxtension: “Craig has built a philosophy centred on connection, resilience and getting better every day. Under his leadership, the club has reconnected with its people, honoured its history and brought the Magpie Army along the journey, highlighted by our unforgettable 2023 premiership.
“Internally, Craig drives our family-first value and connection between players and staff while emphasising the importance of extending that connection with our 19th player – Collingwood members and supporters.”