Buddha: don”t wait sign up Bomber now

Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG coach Mark Thompson is refusing to discuss his future with the Cats despite Essendon approaching his manager about the Bombers’ vacant coaching job next year.
Club president Frank Costa also announced last week that Geelong’s board had agreed to delay contract talks until the end of the season.
But former Cats champion Garry Hocking has urged the club to accelerate negotiations.
The Bombers are in a frantic battle with three other AFL clubs for a new coach, with Thompson at the top of the list.
Hocking believed that unless Geelong already had a succession plan, the board must end speculation immediately.
“There are two things that can now happen: we wait and see what happens and, if they fall over, do they sack him,” Hocking said.
“Or do they wait until they win the flag and, if he’s not signed, does someone else grab him.
“I would suggest that based on form over the past four or five years that he has been pretty consistent and his winloss record would certainly state that.”
Hocking was concerned about the message the club was sending to both Thompson and Cats’ supporters.
He also dismissed suggestions that contract talks would distract Geelong’s focus in the finals.
“If they want Mark to continue like (chief executive) Brian Cook is saying, why don’t they sign him now?” Hocking said.
“Personally, I think he should be signed because at the moment he’s turned what was a poor year into a fantastic year.”
Thompson said he had given no thought to replacing Kevin Sheedy after playing 15 seasons under the master coach.
“I’m not thinking about anything next year or even in three weeks’ time – I’m thinking about playing Richmond this weekend and that’s the truth,” he said.
“They haven’t called me – they have called my manager (Michael Quinlan) and he says the same as I have that Mark Thompson is concentrating on only playing this weekend.”
Last time Geelong ran out against Richmond, Thompson was under immense pressure before the game.
The side had won just two of its opening five games and were losing touch with the top eight.
The Cats silenced the critics with a 157point demolition at the Telstra Dome.
“There was a lot of pressure on me but, to be honest, I didn’t really worry about that,” Thompson said.
“We had a game to play and that’s all we’ve been worried about all year.
“Whatever happens to me, it’s irrelevant, really.”