The Geelong Football Club will officially induct three new members into the Club’s Hall of Fame, with Senior Coach Chris Scott and former players Harry Taylor and Travis Varcoe to receive the honour at Geelong Cats Hall of Fame Dinner in June.

Scott, who has coached the Cats to two Premierships, holds the record for most games as Senior Coach at Geelong, passing the previous record of 304 in Round 20, 2023, set by Reg Hickey in 1952.

Over his 317-game career as Senior Coach to date, Scott has enjoyed a winning record of 69.15 per cent, the highest of any coach who has coached more than 80 games.

After 215 games and two Premierships as a player with the Brisbane Bears and Brisbane Lions, Scott spent three years as an assistant coach with Fremantle, before being appointed as Geelong’s senior coach in October 2010.

In his first year in charge, he led Geelong to its ninth VFL/AFL Premiership. In 2022, Scott again led the Cats to the ultimate prize, a rich reward after guiding the team to 11 AFL Finals appearances in 12 years, including eight Preliminary Finals.

Harry Taylor joined Geelong as a 21-year-old recruit, having spent three seasons at East Fremantle in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) before being selected with pick 17 in the 2007 AFL National Draft.

Making his debut in Round 2 of 2008, Taylor made an instant impact as a key defender, and played 21 games in his first season, including playing in the 2008 Grand Final team.

Taylor enjoyed Premiership success just 12 months later, playing a pivotal member of the Club’s 2009 triumph, and again lifted the Cup aloft in 2011.

Across a 280-game career, Taylor played in four Grand Finals for two wins, named All-Australian teams in 2010 and 2013, and finished runner-up in the Carji Greeves Medal in 2013.

Taylor was also part of Geelong’s player leadership group from 2010-2019, an held the role of Vice-Captain from 2014-2017.

He was also a key figure in the Cats’ community work during his time at the Club, named the 2012 Club Community Champion.

After retiring following the 2020 season, Taylor returned to the Club in an off-field role for the 2022 season, taking on the position of Head of Medical and Conditioning Services.

Travis Varcoe played 138 games across nine seasons at Geelong after being selected with the 15th selection in the 2005 AFL National Draft, before playing a further 92 games with Collingwood from 2015-2020.

After making his AFL debut in Round 2, 2007, Varcoe went on to become a two-time Premiership Player with the Cats.

Varcoe provided plenty of highlights across his career at Geelong, famously kicking a goal in the opening 15 seconds of the 2011 Grand Final. He went on to kick three goals in the 2011 decider as the Cats defeated the Magpies by 38 points.

Varcoe also played an important work in the broader Geelong community, being named the Cats’ 2010 Club Community Champion alongside Nathan Djerrkura.

Last month, the Cats announced 2011 Premiership Captain Cameron Ling would be elevated to Legend status at the Hall of Fame Dinner. The Club will also induct its newest Life Members at the dinner.

Geelong Cats CEO Steve Hocking said the night would be a great opportunity to celebrate some of the key figures in the Club’s history.

“Harry and Travis have both made enormous contributions to the Club over their playing careers,” Hocking said.

“During his playing career, Harry was a relentless competitor on the field, and rightly renowned for his football knowledge, always striving for improvement. He was able to achieve much individually, but importantly also played a role in helping those around him, both on and off the field.

“At the other end of the ground, Travis was operating with a team of all mentality. While he produced plenty of extraordinary highlights, his work rate and energy made him a catalyst for the team. He is also a real leader in the community, and it is not a surprise to see he has gone into coaching roles following his playing career as he looks to continue to share his knowledge of the game.

“Chris Scott’s story as coach at Geelong is still ongoing, but his induction to the Hall of Fame now gives us an opportunity to reflect on the incredible impact he has had at our Club since he joined us in late 2010.

“His longevity and success as a coach is underpinned by his innate sense of curiosity, his eagerness to learn and relentless pursuit of Greatness, and what he had brought to our Club extends far beyond the results which we see on field.

“It seems fitting that Chris will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on the same night that his 2011 Premiership Captain, Cameron Ling, is elevated to Legend Status.

“The two had an incredible working relationship in 2011, it is wonderful to see their achievements and contributions to the Club as individuals celebrated through their respective honours.”

Tickets to the 2024 Geelong Cats Hall of Fame Dinner are now on sale. Click here for more information or to purchase your ticket.