Geelong players get health update on assistant coach Steven King who collapsed at training

• Players’ preparations for preliminary final were rocked 
• Coach is in line to take over at the West Coast Eagles 
• Will not be available for Geelong on Saturday 

Geelong assistant coach Steven King has been released from hospital after Friday’s medical episode that rattled players at the AFL club.

King collapsed at training on the eve of the Cats’ preliminary final against Brisbane at the MCG.

The former Geelong captain, aged 45, was tended to by club medical staff before being taken to hospital where he was kept overnight.

The club confirmed on Saturday that Chris Scott’s right-hand man, among the leading candidates to become West Coast’s next coach, had been given the all clear to return home.

King won’t be in the coaches’ box for Saturday’s blockbuster that will determine who advances to a grand-final showdown against Sydney.

Head of development Nigel Lappin and VFL coach Mark Corrigan will now join Scott in the box.

‘First and foremast the club’s priority has been Steven’s health and providing support to his family,’ Cats football manager Andrew Mackie said

‘We are pleased he is now at home and taking some time to rest and recover.’

Scott, speaking on Friday, described the incident as ‘quite confronting’.

‘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.’

King played 193 games for Geelong between 1996 and 2007, before moving to St Kilda, where he appeared in 47 matches from 2008 to 2010.

Throughout his career, he scored 83 goals, secured a championship with Geelong in 2007, and was named to the All-Australian team in 2000.

King returned to Geelong as an assistant coach last October, after two seasons with the Gold Coast Suns, where he served as interim coach for the last seven games of 2023 following Stuart Dew’s departure.

He also coached at St Kilda in 2011 and spent 10 years with the Western Bulldogs, contributing to their 2016 championship win.

Currently, he is one of the final candidates being considered to replace Adam Simpson as the head coach of the Eagles.

‘The West Coast Eagles are aware of a medical episode involving Geelong assistant coach and Senior Coach candidate Steven King at the Cats’ training session,’ the Eagles released in a statement.

‘Our thoughts are with Steven, his family and the Geelong Football Club. Steven’s health is the priority, and we wish him a speedy recovery.’

The club’s sentiments were echoed by hundreds of footy fans who posted well wishes for King.

‘Wishing Steven King and his family all the best during this challenging time. Thoughts are with him and the Geelong Football Club,’ one posted.

‘Hopefully he recovers and is back at Geelong as soon as possible depending on what happens with next appointment of coach which could be him,’ an Eagles fan commented.

‘Glad to hear he’s okay, wishing him a very swift recovery and that he’ll be back in action soon,’ another posted.