Horror for AFL team as coach collapses at training and is rushed to hospital just before sudden-death finals match

Geelong’s preparations for the AFL preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions have been rocked after assistant coach Steven King suffered a ‘medical episode’ at training.

King, who is one of the final three contenders for West Coast’s head coaching position, was rushed to Epworth Hospital after the incident at GMHBA Stadium at around 11am on Friday.

The 45-year-old collapsed on the field while talking to colleagues and players and was quickly tended to by medical staff.

He remained under observation in hospital on Friday with club officials expecting him to recover. 

Coach Chris Scott said it was not a life-threatening situation.

Scott added it is unlikely King will be part of the coaching panel in the knockout clash with Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday.

Cats players were taken indoors after the incident and a press conference with Scott was delayed. 

Former Cats player turned Geelong assistant coach Steven King (pictured) collapsed during a training session at the club’s home ground on Friday

The 35-year-old was rushed to hospital and is not expected to be part of the coaching panel when Geelong take on Brisbane in Saturday’s preliminary final

King racked up 193 games with Geelong from 1996 to 2007 before going on to star in 47 matches for St Kilda from 2008 to 2010.

He kicked a total of 83 goals, won the flag with the Cats in 2007 and made the All-Australian team in 2000. 

King joined Geelong as an assistant last October after spending two seasons as part of the Gold Coast Suns’ coaching set-up, where he was caretaker coach for the final seven matches of 2023 after Stuart Dew was axed.

He also had coaching stints with the Saints in 2011, then spent a decade on the Western Bulldogs coaching panel and was part of the side’s 2016 flag triumph. 

The former ruckman is one of the final three candidates to take over from Adam Simpson as Eagles head coach.

He told reporters he felt he was on the verge of realising his dream of running an AFL team as he flew west to be interviewed. 

‘To be honest, I guess it’s a lot of hard work I’ve done over the years, it’s something I have always aspired to do and I’m in a really fortunate position where it’s close to becoming a reality,’ King said.