Hocking previously worked at the Cats as football manager before moving to the AFL in 2017. His time in the role at league headquarters has overseen some massive changes to the sport.
New rules such as the stand on the mark rule as well as extra focus on the protection area around the man on the mark have caused some issues with fans while holding the ball interpretations have long been a sore spot under Hocking's reign.
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - AUGUST 31: AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan and AFL General Manager Football Operations Steven Hocking address the media after Steve Hocking was announced as the new AFL General Manager of Football Operations at AFL House on August 31, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media/Getty Images)Geelong confirmed the news in a statement on Monday.
“Steve Hocking’s deep football and commercial experience is the perfect combination for our next CEO,” Geelong Football Club President Craig Drummond said.
“I am confident that Steve’s values-based leadership, discipline and focus will continue to drive a culture of high performance and success for the club. As a strong advocate for the AFL industry, Steve has driven higher standards across all elements of football, including the quality of the game, diversity, and the mental health of all industry participants. We are delighted to welcome Steve back to the club.”
Drummond went on to pay tribute to the work Cook did. His incredible tenure oversaw 3 premierships for the Cats.
“I did at this time want to recognise the extraordinary contributions that Brian has made to the club,” Drummond said.
“Under his leadership, Brian has transformed the Geelong Football Club. On behalf of the board, the staff, our members, sponsors, and key stakeholders, thank you Brian for your leadership, service and legacy to our club. I also am delighted to confirm that Brian has agreed to continue his great service to the club in an advisory role from 2022. The club will formally recognise and celebrate Brian’s contributions as CEO later this year.”
The AFL also released a statement on Monday. In the statement AFL CEO Gil McLachlan thanked Hocking for his hard work in a sometimes thankless job.
“It is a relentless job, but Steve has made an enormous contribution to the AFL and the wider AFL industry during his time in the role. He is a values-driven leader who has brought calm, confidence and consistency to the operations of football across the AFL, AFLW, VFL, VFLW and NAB Leagues and his approach is much-respected and valued by his colleagues and the wider industry,” Mr McLachlan said.
“He has brought improvement to every aspect of the game, whether it’s the growth of the NAB AFLW competition, the expansion of mental health and welfare initiatives across the clubs, rule changes that have opened up the game and made it more spectacular, the development and implementation of the ARC and the ongoing development of umpires.
“The football being played in this AFL season, and the earlier AFLW season, have each been exceptional and that is a testament to the work of Steve and his team.
“This is a great opportunity for Steve and the Geelong Cats for the next step in his career and he goes with our gratitude and blessings and I know he will continue to contribute to the industry in his role at clubland.”
