Scott talks up Knights as AFL coach

Geelong AFL coach Chris Scott says Matthew Knights would make an outstanding candidate for the newly-created vacancy at Melbourne – if he was interested in the job.

After presiding over just five wins in 33 matches, Mark Neeld was sacked by the Demons on Monday – the same fate that befell his predecessor Dean Bailey.

Both men were first-time AFL senior coaches, with Melbourne almost certain to go for an experienced man this time around.

Mark Williams and Rodney Eade are among the early favourites, but Knights could also fit the bill – even though his 2008-10 stint at Essendon ended with him being dumped in favour of club legend James Hird.

Knights is now in his second season as coach of the Cats’ VFL team.

“The most impressive thing about Matty coming into our system is how he has embraced Geelong,” Scott said on Wednesday.

“He’s embraced our way, he’s got some pretty strong thoughts on the game but he’s been able to submit himself to the Geelong way of doing things.

“On some levels he makes some sacrifices to do the right thing by our AFL team at VFL level.

“I think he would probably do things a little bit differently if he was the head coach.

“But while I think he would be an outstanding candidate, I’m not keen to push him too hard because he’s been doing an outstanding job for us.”

Knights has yet to indicate whether he would be interested in applying for the Melbourne job.

But he does have a relationship with Demons’ CEO Peter Jackson, who held the same post at Essendon when Knights replaced Kevin Sheedy six years ago.