Magpies great joins Roos’ coach search; Collingwood VFL coach sanctioned for umpire abuse

Recently retired Collingwood great Steele Sidebottom has been added to North Melbourne’s coaching selection panel.

Sidebottom ended his celebrated 375-game career after the Magpies’ wildcard loss to the Western Bulldogs, but he will immediately step into his first post-playing role as the outside voice on a six-person panel.

The Roos sacked celebrated coach Alastair Clarkson last week and are now searching for his replacement.

The selection panel will be made up of Roos chief executive Jennifer Watt (chair), football general manager Todd Viney, director and former Roos captain Andrew Swallow, Roos AFW premiership coach Darren Crocker, club vice president Nick Dowling, and Sidebottom.

Roos president Dr Sonja Hood is not on the panel, with prospective candidates asked to contact Watt or Viney to register interest.

The club said it would not be providing a running commentary on the process until they have appointed their next coach.

“The club is seeking a person with recent and relevant AFL coaching experience from successful environments who can deliver North Melbourne its next silverware in the men’s competition,” the club said in a statement.

“Candidates will need a proven track record in demonstrating outstanding leadership, relationship building, communication, and education.

“Specific role information will be provided to individuals who express interest in the position and who meet the selection criteria.”
– Roy Ward

Magpies VFL coach sanctioned for umpire abuse

Peter Ryan

Collingwood’s VFL coach Matthew Lokan will undergo anger management training as part of his sanction for abusing umpires after a round 20 VFL match against Essendon at Windy Hill.

Lokan, who also works as a development coach with the AFL team, received a two-match ban (which was suspended until the end of 2027), a $4000 fine and will attend an AFL-approved anger management course at his own expense.

The alleged abuse happened on the ground after the game, which Essendon won by a point. It was considered serious enough for Magpie officials to enter the umpire’s rooms after the game to apologise.

Collingwood was then sent a “please explain” after the matter was referred to the AFL Integrity Unit. The charge was proved, and the penalty accepted by the Magpies.

Lokan, who was appointed VFL coach this season, said he recognised he had overstepped the mark and was prepared to do whatever the AFL required to ensure he set the right example.

“My behaviour was unacceptable, and I have apologised to the officials involved, as well as to the league and those at the club,” Lokan said. “I have a responsibility to always show respect to officials and will handle these situations better in future.”

Lokan joined the Magpies as their VFL coach at the start of 2026 after a career coaching in the SANFL. He played 46 matches for Collingwood between 2003 and 2005, including the Magpies’ 2003 grand final. The Magpies’ VFL team won seven matches and finished 16th in 2026.

In an incident earlier in the season, Richmond VFL coach Jack Madgen was forced to explain his comments to umpires at half-time of a match against North Melbourne earlier this season.

Richmond were fined $5000 and Madgen received a two-match ban which was suspended until the end 2027.

The VFL and AFL are determined to set an example when it comes to interaction with umpires.

Chris Scott shoots down a shock retirement rumour

Peter Ryan

Geelong coach Chris Scott has confirmed he expects to be coaching at the Cats until at least the end of his current contract, which expires in 2029, after being questioned about his future at his weekly media conference.

The question no one had on their mind arose after 3AW’s Rumour File aired a call on Tuesday morning speculating that the dual premiership coach would retire when the Cats’ current finals campaign ends.

Scott was surprised at the inquiry but made it clear he had no intention of walking away as the Cats are on the cusp of securing Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters and the Giants’ Toby Greene in the upcoming trade period.

“I expect to see out my contract,” Scott said.

Scott has been open in recent seasons about the demands of the job but has also been keen to emphasise that the good outweighs the bad.

He once again relayed his broad view of what life was like for senior coaches in the current environment but said any pitfalls were the “price of admission”.

“I love parts of [the job] and I despise parts of it,” Scott said.

“The price of admission in the AFL is that some parts are going to be bloody hard, and some bits you are not going to be in love with, and some bits you just have to endure, to be frank.”

Scott has coached the Cats since 2011, winning two premierships and leading them into 14 of the past 16 finals series. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Fremantle, the club his team will play in a semi-final on Friday night at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

The Cats will consider recalling Sam De Koning for the final, but Scott indicated midfielder James Worpel could be unavailable for the rest of the season with a troublesome hamstring.

Meanwhile, small forward Gryan Miers is continuing his remarkable run as he plays with a partial ACL tear. He said it took time before he decided to continue after initially booking in with a surgeon to have a reconstruction.

“I’m willing to fail with the opportunity to succeed,” Miers said on Monday.

“So I’m really happy with the route I’ve taken: that if it goes wrong, and it still might, but that could be for different reasons, that could be because we just lose, I play bad, or another injury – that I’m OK with that because I think I’ve made the right decision.”

He said there were no plans for him to have a reconstruction at season’s end.
– Peter Ryan

‘Libba’ calls it a day

Scott Spits

Decorated Western Bulldogs star Tom Liberatore has announced his AFL retirement after 16 seasons and 268 matches – including the 2016 premiership.

A key member of the club’s famous drought-breaking, flag-winning side, the now-34-year-old is hanging up the boots after 11 games in his final season.

Liberatore has a long history with concussion – suffering his latest in round six this year against Geelong. He didn’t play again until round 15 against the Saints – given he was also battling a knee injury. His final game was the round 23 draw against the Blues.

Liberatore and his father Tony became only the second father-son pairing to play 250 games for the same club – along with Essendon greats Ken and Dustin Fletcher.

“This club and its community have been such a huge part of my life,” Tom said in a statement on Tuesday.

“I’m so fortunate to have lived out my dream for 16 years, from watching my old man play for the club, to being part of a premiership that meant so much to all of our fans and to the western suburbs, it’s been a real privilege.

“I still love being here and competing each week, but it’s time for me to step aside, spend more time with my family and friends and support this great club from the stands.

“I’ve built lifelong friendships with many teammates through the years, that’s what means the most to me.

“I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone at the club: players, coaches and staff for the amount of effort and time they’ve dedicated to me over the years.”

Liberatore became just the 15th Bulldog to reach the 250-game milestone, and was last year named as one of the 25 Greatest Bulldogs.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge lauded the contribution Liberatore has made throughout his time at “the Kennel”.

“Tom has been the spiritual catalyst within our playing ranks for such a long period of time,” Beveridge said.

“Through the challenges he has faced, he has had a fierce will and desire to claw his way back. ‘Libba’ has always set about influencing everyone he comes in contact with in his own unique, caring and quirky characteristic way.

“Always a fierce competitor, he has been inspirational with his tenacity and confrontational brand ensuring his teammates always walk a little taller and feel a little more self-assured.

“I am extremely grateful to have coached Tom and I know all of our people see it as a great privilege to have shared Tom’s AFL football experience with him.”

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