Few can comment on Laura Kane’s position like Brad Scott.
The current Essendon coach is experiencing a lengthy run of success in his second year back at clubland, but it’s his previous tenure at the AFL that gives him a unique insight.
Scott was appointed as the AFL’s football boss in late 2021 and worked alongside Kane, who was the GM of competition management at the time.
Kane is now the executive general manager of football following a restructure at AFL House last year, taking on a portfolio similar yet larger than what Scott held until September 2022.
Kane on Monday ruled the officiating umpire late in Collingwood’s win over North Melbourne was right not to pay Kangaroo Bailey Scott a 50-metre penalty despite two Magpies players encroaching over the mark.
The league’s footy boss has typically clarified controversial calls in 2024 and has been universally caned for her latest defence of the umpires.
AFL’S FLAWED MEDIA PROCESS SIMPLY ADDING TO DECISION CONFUSION
Scott was asked on SEN’s Whateley his advice for Kane surrounding late-game umpiring decisions.
“Laura doesn’t need my advice, she’s done a terrific job in all the roles that she’s been on board with, whether it’s been at club level or AFL level,” he replied.
“One of the most difficult pieces is the communication of umpiring decisions. I tend to lean on the side that I get everyone wants to look at the late decisions because everyone perceives that as deciding games, but I think once we start going down the track of explaining every single umpiring decision, then it creates more frustration maybe, rather than less.”
Kane was also head of football operations at North Melbourne for part of Scott’s tenure as coach of the club.
Following a loss to Gold Coast in Round 12, Scott told reporters in his post-match press conference he would clarify with the AFL multiple decisions late in the defeat.
Scott told SEN on Tuesday morning that if a decision is clearly a mistake, he accepts that as part of the game.
“I certainly take the attitude that there’s ‘rub of the green’. If there’s a confusing decision that is going to affect Essendon moving forward I will seek clarification, but if it’s just a mistake then you just let the mistake go,” he continued.
Scott concluded: “I think my experience is that the more you explain things, the more you will frustrate someone. People only want one answer and that’s the answer they agree with.”
Kane has also found herself in the media in recent days over potential changes to the draft bidding system coming as soon as this year, with several clubs reportedly hitting back at the notion they were informed.