Brenton Sanderson has revealed he believed he was a shoo-in for the Geelong coaching race ultimately won by Chris Scott, a decision that ultimately benefited both him and the Cats.
Sanderson spent years at the Cats as an assistant under Mark Thompson after a playing career spanning 209 games. He went on to coach Adelaide for three years and has since spent time at Collingwood with Nathan Buckley.
But shedding light into circumstances behind Scott winning the Geelong job back in 2010, Sanderson originally thought he was in line for the position.
“The foundations were set, Geelong was coming off a couple of premierships and when Bomber left for Essendon… we had this great assistant coaching group,” Sanderson began on SEN’s Whateley.
“It was Ken Hinkley, Brendon McCartney – who obviously went on to the Bulldogs – and myself.
“Ken left the year before for the Gold Coast Suns, so when the job came up – and this will sound really arrogant on radio – I just thought that I would get the job.
“I was there five years as an assistant, three Grand Finals for two wins and with Kenny gone and McCartney gone – he went to the Bombers as well – I thought, ‘I might get the job here’.
“I thought I was ready obviously… every assistant coach thinks they could step into the hot seat at any time and do a great job.
“The last three were Ken, Chris Scott and myself… Chris Scott has been one of the greatest coaches of all time, so great decision that they made.”
Scott has gone on to win two premierships and boasts the best winning percentage of any long-term coach, a fact Sanderson credits to his strong leadership.
“One of the greatest phone calls I’ve had was Chris Scott straight away when he got the job and missed out, he rang me and said, ‘I’d love for you to stay’,” he continued.
“Thankfully I did, another Grand Final, another premiership and then I got the Crows job which was awesome too.
“Then obviously Ken got the Port job and Macca got the Western Bulldogs job. It was a really good group.”
Sanderson was appointed as Adelaide coach in mid-September of 2011.
In comparing Geelong’s culture with that of Richmond, Sanderson declared the vacant Richmond job would be an attractive one to prospective coaches.
Despite believing the Tigers are a minimum of three years away from a flag, the former Crows coach said the strength of the club overall will mean aspiring senior coaches can approach the job with confidence.
More in AFL
“This time next year…”: Cornes’ bold pick for his next AFL head coach in waiting
“I think he is the most ready head coach in waiting.”