Geelong has been rocked in its preparation for the preliminary final against Brisbane after assistant coach Steven King collapsed at training. King, who is one of the leading candidates for West Coast's head coaching position, was rushed to hospital after what Cats officials described as a "medical episode" at GMHBA Stadium on Friday morning.
The 45-year-old collapsed on the field while talking to colleagues and players at the start of the light training session and was quickly tended to by club medical staff. Geelong coach Chris Scott later said it was not a life-threatening situation, and that King was conscious and breathing normally before being taken to hospital.
King remained under observation on Friday and is expected to recover, but is unlikely to be part of the Cats' coaching panel in the knockout clash with Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday. "For us to prioritise his health, it would be irresponsible for us to even consider him to be around over the next 24 hours or so," Scott told reporters about an hour after the incident.
King's episode occurred at the start of Geelong's final light training run in preparation for Saturday's preliminary final. Players were quickly called into a huddle and left the training track within minutes while medical staff tended to King. Assembled media were also asked to leave, allowed to return when players re-emerged to complete the training session about 30 minutes later.
"It's upsetting and it has an impact on the players," Scott said. "I don't take the view with these things that you've got to pretend that something isn't happening. What we've got to do is just deal with where we are. Again, the feedback's really positive, so we will do our best to focus on that positive, but it is quite confronting."
King had been in Perth for an interview with West Coast and returned to Geelong on Thursday night. The former St Kilda, Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast assistant is one of three remaining candidates for the Eagles job, along with Andrew McQualter and Hayden Skipworth.
Scott said King's workload had "possibly" contributed to the medical episode. "He is a workaholic, but I don't think it would be prudent for me to speculate as to the causes," Scott said. "He has been working pretty hard, and it is a stressful situation to be at this point of the season full-stop. But when you add in [that], there is a bit of stress and excitement at the prospect that he could be facing over in Perth. I've only really known him well for 12 months, but he's a very resilient character. I'm confident he'll bounce back."
Impact on the Cats' Preparations
The incident has undoubtedly had a significant impact on the Cats' preparations for the crucial preliminary final against Brisbane. The team's focus has shifted from game strategy to concern for King's well-being, with Scott acknowledging the emotional toll the incident has taken on the players. While the club is hoping for a swift recovery for King, his absence from the coaches' box will be a notable loss for the Cats.
King's Coaching Career
Steven King is a highly respected figure in the AFL, having played 193 games for Geelong between 1996 and 2007 and serving in various coaching roles across several clubs since retiring. His dedication and experience have made him a valuable asset to any team, and his potential move to West Coast as head coach had been generating excitement among the Eagles faithful. The incident has cast a shadow over King's future, but the focus remains on his recovery and well-being.
A Difficult Time for King and the Cats
This is a challenging time for King, his family, and the Geelong Cats. The club has been through similar situations in the past, and the experience has taught them the importance of prioritizing health and well-being over football. While the Cats are committed to winning, the focus right now is on supporting King during his recovery and ensuring that his health remains paramount. The club is hoping for a swift recovery for King and that he will be back on the sidelines soon. In the meantime, the Cats will be relying on their collective strength and resilience to navigate this difficult situation and prepare for the important preliminary final.
