Carlton have received a much-needed boost in a tumultuous off-season, with Brian Cook to take over as chief executive.
While it had been known for months that Cook was leaving his role as Geelong’s CEO after 23 years, until Friday night it was unclear what he would do next.
The Cats confirmed on Friday night that Cook would take on the role with the Blues.
Cain Liddle left the job a week ago after four years.
Cook is one of the league’s most respected and experienced club chief executives.
Along with president Frank Costa, he was crucial in turning around the Cats’ financial crisis 20 years ago, and then oversaw their three premierships in 2007, ’09, and ’11.
Before joining Geelong, he was CEO at West Coast when the Eagles won the ’92 and ’94 flags.
“Brian is the longest-serving CEO in the history of the game, and he loves a challenge,” Cats president Craig Drummond said in a statement.
“He is excited about taking the reigns at Carlton and we wish him well in that role.
“The club is vastly different to the one he walked into all those years ago, and we can never properly thank him for all he has done during his tenure.”
Liddle’s exit from Carlton came three weeks after the Blues sacked coach David Teague.
While four-time Hawthorn premiership coach Alastair Clarkson has ruled himself out of going to a new club, Cook’s move to Carlton will reignite that speculation.
Clarkson has said he will take next year off after leaving the Hawks.
AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking, also a former Geelong player and official, has been confirmed as the new Cats chief executive.
He is due to start in the next few weeks.
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
Dam wall opening up. Maybe being home and away Premiers is not cutting it for some!
O M
Roar Rookie
Huge fall off that cliff!! It's inevitable.....won't make the 8 next year.
Diesel-747
Roar Rookie
Is this true? Claws regularly out at Geelong I thought.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Scarlett mentoring Weitering - dreams are made of such things
Blitz
Guest
Cats CEO Brian Cook was on Damien Barrett’s “In the Game” podcast, and he said that the drug culture at WC most likely developed under his tenure and that he wasn’t aware of it. Cook is an incredibly astute operator that would have made a great AFL CEO, yet he didn’t have a clue. Cook also said that he had heard rumours about Bomber Thompson while he was coach of the Cats and that an intervention was arranged, only for Bomber to deny that he took drugs or had any challenges. Cook said that he had to believe Bomber because he didn’t have evidence to the contrary.
Blitz
Guest
Brian Cook was on Damien Barrett’s “In the Game” podcast, and he said that the drug culture at WC most likely developed under his tenure and that he wasn’t aware of it. I think you need to listen to the podcast!
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Interesting. First Knights, then Enright and perhaps Scarlett now.
Kane
Roar Rookie
By all reports Scarlett is out of Geelong too after having a fiery argument with Scott after their finals loss. Would love Scarlett at Carlton as an assistant
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Geelong seem to be losing some quality people! Is this the start of a huge fall from grace? Fingers crossed.
DEESNUTSRBIG
Guest
Brayshaw & Weideman are the rumored players to possibly be traded by Melbourne. Package deal - Darcy & Cerra for Jackson & Rivers. Melbourne drafted Bullcreek-Leeming products Trent Rivers, Luke Jackson. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/308230/rivers-over-the-moon-to-land-with-best-mate https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/bullcreek-leeming-products-trent-rivers-luke-jackson-involved-in-car-accident-on-way-to-mcg-to-debut-for-melbourne-ng-b881577538z https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/backman-to-the-future-young-demon-rivers-getting-a-kick-out-of-footy-20210603-p57xp1.html And in the moments after his name was called out, Rivers was simply ecstatic. “I’m stoked, especially with Luke Jackson there as well – I’m buzzing,” he told Melbourne Media. “I probably consider him one of my best mates. “I’m just over the moon to be able to go through this journey with him over the past two years, and now to continue it on, it’s just a dream come true.” With him came the No.3 pick, Luke Jackson. The pair grew up five minutes apart and played with and against each other from age 12. Now they live together under the roof of Mark and Deborah Brayshaw, father of three AFL footballers including new teammate Angus. The other two play for the Perth clubs. Perhaps they’re all like hostages, awaiting a swap!With him came the No.3 pick, Luke Jackson. The pair grew up five minutes apart and played with and against each other from age 12. Now they live together under the roof of Mark and Deborah Brayshaw, father of three AFL footballers including new teammate Angus. The other two play for the Perth clubs. Perhaps they’re all like hostages, awaiting a swap!
Kane
Roar Rookie
Talk to any of the Geelong greats and what you just said will be proven made up.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
It would sure be a coup Macca as long as Clarkson didn’t actually need the rest. He looked and sounded completely burnt out at the end of it all. He might just need that years break. He’d be hard to resist if available but how many times does he have to say he isn’t?
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Think your timings a bit out on the Cousins thing. Cook left West Coast in 1999.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Freo are going to offer a monster deal to try and get Jackson home. Reports are Cerra and Freos second round pick will be the starting point.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
That is correct he cant play CHF or CHB. A great accountant who is a money man not a leader he let Cousins and his mates ruin WCE who had a brilliant squad with about 15 A grade players. Carlton have 3.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Carlton keep these type of appointments up and I may just have to finally take them seriously
Birdman
Roar Rookie
CEO's don't take the field IIRC. ;) Still, a quality appointment for the Blues
Power
Guest
Great addition, does he have the :tennis: :tennis: to bring in Choco Williams as coach after the grand final win for Melbourne? Who are Carltons 3rd, 4th, 5th best midfielder? Thats the biggest problem. If Cerra comes in not only do they have 3 quality mids (Walsh, Cerra, Cripps) but the other mids get moved down a spot on the depth chart. The backline and forward line when fit and available are top quality. Cerra might want to join best mate Langdon but Melbourne would have to trade players to get the required picks. Carlton need to sell him on nominating Carlton right away, they cant afford to miss out.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Reports are he will mentor the next one, it might not work but I think the intention is great
Macca
Roar Rookie
Many mocked when I said I heard it was likely but here we are. Brilliant result for the Blues, someone strong enough to keep the board in line and experienced enough not to think he has a role to play in the football department. Now we need to nail the next big step, a coach!! The rumour has long been Clarko will sign on if Cook came, not so sure about that one but would be great if it happened!!