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Geelong exodus continues as Cats AFL great Matthew Scarlett quits as assistant coach

Matthew Scarlett has left his role as an assistant coach at the Cats.  (AAP: Julian Smith)

Geelong legend Matthew Scarlett has confirmed he is stepping down as one of Chris Scott's assistant coaches.

Scarlett, one of the greatest defenders in the Cats' history, joins fellow off-field staff members Matthew Knights and Corey Enright in exiting the club since its preliminary-final thumping against Melbourne almost a fortnight ago.

The club also farewelled long-time chief executive Brian Cook, who last week joined Carlton after announcing earlier in the year he would leave the Cats at the end of the season.

Scarlett, a three-time premiership player with the Cats, said the time was right for him to step away from the role he began in 2016.

"It has been an incredible journey, much more than I could ever have hoped for when I joined the club," Scarlett said in a club statement.

"I have enjoyed coaching, but the time is right to take a break.

"The relationships I have formed over my time at the club will remain with me forever."

Scarlett was a key member of Geelong's premierships in 2007, 2009 and 2011, earning All-Australian honours six times before retiring at the end of 2012.

He was inducted into the Australia Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

Scarlett might not be the last member of Scott's coaching group to depart, with Nigel Lappin reportedly set to join Michael Voss at Carlton after his former Brisbane Lions captain was appointed Blues coach.

AAP/ABC

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