Geelong assistant coach Steven King during the Cats' loss to Melbourne in round eight, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

STEVEN King has been discharged from hospital, but the Geelong assistant won't be part of the Cats' coaching panel for the preliminary final against Brisbane on Saturday.

King was hospitalised after collapsing at training at GMHBA Stadium on Friday morning.

The 45-year-old collapsed on the field while talking to colleagues and players at the start of the light training session and was quickly tended to by club medical staff.

On Saturday, the Cats said King had been discharged from hospital and given the all clear by doctors.  

King's episode occurred at the start of Geelong's final light training run in preparation for Saturday's preliminary final.

Players were quickly called into a huddle and left the training track within minutes while medical staff tended to King.

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Assembled media were also asked to leave, allowed to return when players re-emerged to complete the training session about 30 minutes later.

"It's upsetting and it has an impact on the players," Cats coach Chris Scott said shortly after the incident.

"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, but it is quite confronting."

Steven King looks on during Geelong training on March 26, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

King had been in Perth for an interview with West Coast and returned to Geelong on Thursday night.

The former St Kilda, Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast assistant is one of three remaining candidates for the Eagles job, along with Andrew McQualter and Hayden Skipworth.

Scott said King's workload had "possibly" contributed to the medical episode.

"He is a workaholic but I don't think it would be prudent for me to speculate as to the causes," Scott said.

Chris Scott is seen at Geelong training on September 20, 2024. Picture: Getty Images

"He has been working pretty hard and it is a stressful situation to be at this point of the season full stop.

"But when you add in there is a bit of stress and excitement at the prospect that he could be facing over in Perth.

"I've only really known him well for 12 months but he's a very resilient character. I'm confident he'll bounce back."