Heath Scotland
Encyclopedia
Heath Scotland is an Australian rules football
er in the Australian Football League
.
, then in the Riddell District Football League
, and he played TAC Cup
football for the Western Jets
. He also featured in the National Under 18s Championships for Vic Metro in 1998. He was recruited to the Australian Football League
by the Collingwood Football Club
with its third round selection in the 1998 AFL Draft
(#44 overall).
. He played another ten in 2000, but managed only two senior games in 2001 – in the first and last rounds of the season. His performance in that final round match, to that stage a career-best with twenty-eight disposals, arguably saved his Collingwood career, with coach Mick Malthouse
stating that he had matured considerably as a footballer over that season.
Scotland became a regular for the Magpies in 2002, playing 19 matches through the season, including fourteen consecutively after Round 12. He played in all of Collingwood's finals matches, including the Grand Final loss against Brisbane
. In 2003, he fell out of favour again, playing only sporadically throughout most of the season; however, he gained selection again in Round 20, and played every game for the rest of the year, including another Grand Final loss against Brisbane
, which was his last game for Collingwood.
In his five seasons at Collingwood, Scotland was generally characterised as a midfielder or half-back flanker at a club which had several players of similar ability capable of filling that role; he therefore struggled to be a regular member of coach Mick Malthouse
's regular 22. Scotland decided that his long-term opportunities at Collingwood would be limited under Malthouse, and after discussions with Carlton
coach Denis Pagan
, he requested to be traded to the rival club at the end of 2003. He had previously considered a move to the Kangaroos
(where Pagan was then coaching) after playing only two games in 2001.
. Even at the time, the trade was considered to be good value for Carlton, He was given the No. 29 guernsey, the same number he had vacated at Collingwood.
Scotland has been a regular player throughout his entire time at Carlton. He has played in every game in five of his eight completed seasons with the club. As at Collingwood, Scotland plays generally as a midfielder, rotating into a sweeping half-back role.
In Round 9, 2005, Scotland played in Carlton's team in the last game it ever played at its traditional home ground at Princes Park; he had previously played in Collingwood's last game at its traditional suburban home, making him the only player to appear in both of these historic matches. In 2006, Scotland finished third in the Robert Reynolds Trophy
, and had the second-most disposals of any player in the AFL. He improved again in 2007, collecting his career-high 41 disposals in a match in Round 22 against , finishing a close second for the Robert Reynolds Trophy, and polling a club-high 12 Brownlow Medal
votes.
In the young Carlton teams he played in, Scotland was one of the most experienced players. He featured in the club's leadership group from 2007 until 2010, before voluntarily stepping down in 2011. He continued to play reliable football through this time. In 2011, Scotland played his 200th game, and became the oldest player on the Carlton list, turning 31 during the year; in spite of this, 2011 has been widely regarded by pundits as Scotland's best season to date; he was nominated in the 40-man squad for the All-Australian team
, but did not make the final team.
Scotland has continued to play mostly as a midfielder and rebounding half-back flanker. Scotland was described by Tony Shaw
(who coached him in his first season with Collingwood) as a truly skilful player, capable of kicking on with both feet, with good durability and a good football brain.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Background
Scotland grew up and played his junior football for the Darley Football ClubDarley Football Club
The Darley Football Netball Club, nicknamed the Devils, is an Australian Rules Football club playing in the Ballarat Football League.The club is based in the Victorian town of Bacchus Marsh.-History:...
, then in the Riddell District Football League
Riddell District Football League
The Riddell District Football League is an Australian rules football league affiliated with Football Victoria.The league covers towns in the Macedon Ranges Victoria and an area from Rockbank in the south to Broadford in the north....
, and he played TAC Cup
TAC Cup
The TAC Cup is an under 18 Australian rules football representative competition held in Victoria, Australia. It is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with each team representing 12 Victorian regions....
football for the Western Jets
Western Jets
The Western Jets Football Club are an Australian rules football club who play in the U18 competition, the TAC Cup. The club have developmental squads in the U15 and 16 age groups, however much of the attention is towards its U18 team....
. He also featured in the National Under 18s Championships for Vic Metro in 1998. He was recruited to the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
by the Collingwood Football Club
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
with its third round selection in the 1998 AFL Draft
1998 AFL Draft
The 1998 AFL Draft consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and a rookie elevation. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.In 1998 there...
(#44 overall).
Collingwood
Scotland was initially given guernsey #44, and he switched to No. 29 in 2001. He made his debut in Round 3 of 1999, and played twelve senior matches in his debut season, including Collingwood's Round 22 match, which was the last game it ever played at its traditional home ground, Victoria ParkVictoria Park, Melbourne
Victoria Park is a sports venue in Abbotsford a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Built for the purpose of both Australian rules football and cricket, the stadium is oval shaped....
. He played another ten in 2000, but managed only two senior games in 2001 – in the first and last rounds of the season. His performance in that final round match, to that stage a career-best with twenty-eight disposals, arguably saved his Collingwood career, with coach Mick Malthouse
Mick Malthouse
Michael "Mick" Malthouse is a former Australian rules footballer and the former coach of the Collingwood Football Club.While his playing career included a premiership for Richmond in the VFL, he is best known for his Australian Football League coaching career.Malthouse is the most successful coach...
stating that he had matured considerably as a footballer over that season.
Scotland became a regular for the Magpies in 2002, playing 19 matches through the season, including fourteen consecutively after Round 12. He played in all of Collingwood's finals matches, including the Grand Final loss against Brisbane
2002 AFL Grand Final
The 2002 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Brisbane Lions and the Collingwood Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 28 September 2002. It was the 106th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football...
. In 2003, he fell out of favour again, playing only sporadically throughout most of the season; however, he gained selection again in Round 20, and played every game for the rest of the year, including another Grand Final loss against Brisbane
2003 AFL Grand Final
The 2003 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Brisbane Lions and the Collingwood Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 27 September 2003...
, which was his last game for Collingwood.
In his five seasons at Collingwood, Scotland was generally characterised as a midfielder or half-back flanker at a club which had several players of similar ability capable of filling that role; he therefore struggled to be a regular member of coach Mick Malthouse
Mick Malthouse
Michael "Mick" Malthouse is a former Australian rules footballer and the former coach of the Collingwood Football Club.While his playing career included a premiership for Richmond in the VFL, he is best known for his Australian Football League coaching career.Malthouse is the most successful coach...
's regular 22. Scotland decided that his long-term opportunities at Collingwood would be limited under Malthouse, and after discussions with Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
coach Denis Pagan
Denis Pagan
Denis Pagan is a former Australian rules football coach and player in the VFL/AFL. He is current coach of Northern Knights in TAC Cup.-Playing career:...
, he requested to be traded to the rival club at the end of 2003. He had previously considered a move to the Kangaroos
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
(where Pagan was then coaching) after playing only two games in 2001.
Carlton
Scotland was ultimately traded to Carlton in exchange for a third round draft pick (#35 overall) in the 2003 AFL Draft2003 AFL Draft
The 2003 AFL Draft was the 2003 instance of the AFL Draft, the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League...
. Even at the time, the trade was considered to be good value for Carlton, He was given the No. 29 guernsey, the same number he had vacated at Collingwood.
Scotland has been a regular player throughout his entire time at Carlton. He has played in every game in five of his eight completed seasons with the club. As at Collingwood, Scotland plays generally as a midfielder, rotating into a sweeping half-back role.
In Round 9, 2005, Scotland played in Carlton's team in the last game it ever played at its traditional home ground at Princes Park; he had previously played in Collingwood's last game at its traditional suburban home, making him the only player to appear in both of these historic matches. In 2006, Scotland finished third in the Robert Reynolds Trophy
John Nicholls Medal
The John Nicholls Medal is an Australian rules football award given to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for the Carlton Football Club for the season....
, and had the second-most disposals of any player in the AFL. He improved again in 2007, collecting his career-high 41 disposals in a match in Round 22 against , finishing a close second for the Robert Reynolds Trophy, and polling a club-high 12 Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
votes.
In the young Carlton teams he played in, Scotland was one of the most experienced players. He featured in the club's leadership group from 2007 until 2010, before voluntarily stepping down in 2011. He continued to play reliable football through this time. In 2011, Scotland played his 200th game, and became the oldest player on the Carlton list, turning 31 during the year; in spite of this, 2011 has been widely regarded by pundits as Scotland's best season to date; he was nominated in the 40-man squad for the All-Australian team
All-Australian Team
The All-Australian Team is an all star team of Australian rules footballers, selected by a panel at the end of each season. It represents a complete team, including interchange players and a coach, of the best performed during the season....
, but did not make the final team.
Scotland has continued to play mostly as a midfielder and rebounding half-back flanker. Scotland was described by Tony Shaw
Tony Shaw
Anthony 'Tony' Shaw is a former Australian rules footballer, coach and media personality.-Playing career:Shaw was recruited to Collingwood from Reservoir-Lakeside to make his debut in 1977 alongside brother Ray...
(who coached him in his first season with Collingwood) as a truly skilful player, capable of kicking on with both feet, with good durability and a good football brain.