By Tim O’Connor and Kim Quinlan, Ballarat Courier
Ballarat’s football fraternity has vowed to rally behind the family of Ballarat Football Netball League Hall of Fame member, Malcolm Scott.
Scott, who had an illustrious playing and coaching career with Sebastopol and Bacchus Marsh clubs in the BFNL, died suddenly at the weekend.
Bacchus Marsh club president Adam Sutherland confirmed Scott’s passing to The Courier on Saturday evening.
Sutherland also posted on the Cobras’ Facebook page, informing their members of his death.
“Malcolm you have gone too soon but will live on in the hearts and memory of the Cobra family,” part of the post read.
Scott coached the Sebastopol Football Club in 1983-85 and again in 1999-2001 and the club’s football department member Chris Parker told The Courier on Sunday the Scott family would be well supported by the entire football fraternity.
“Prue (Scott’s daughter) plays a big part in the Sebastopol FNC’s netball side and the club will rally around her, her mother and brother as much as we can,” Parker said.
Parker, who played at the Sebastopol club under the guidance of Scott as coach, described him as a great mentor.
“Malcolm led by example. He was a terrific player and coached a young side … he was an excellent mentor to the lot of us. He was a big influence on the young guys and was well-respected at the same time,” Parker said.
Parker also described Scott as eccentric. “He would often say or do something that you were not expecting.”
Scott was also modest about his football achievements. While researching Scott’s career before his induction into the BFNL Hall of Fame, Parker asked the Sebastopol coach about his AFL playing career, which included 11 games with St Kilda.
“That’s not worth mentioning,” was Scott’s reply.
Parker said while Scott’s formal involvement with the Sebastopol FNC finished several years ago, he still liked to watch matches throughout a season.
“He will be sadly missed around the club,” Parker said.
Scott’s football achievements included:
– North Ballarat FC junior player, played over 100 junior games with premierships in all grades
– North Ballarat FC senior player, played over 100 senior games
– North Ballarat FC premiership player (1978,79,82)
– Sebastopol FC senior player, played over 50 games
– Sebastopol FC coach (1983-85, 1999-2001), runners-up (1985 & 2000)
– Sebastopol FC life member (2002)
– Bacchus Marsh FC senior player, played over 100 games
– Bacchus Marsh FC Team of the Era member (2016)
– Bacchus Marsh FC leading goal-kicker five times
– Coached junior football teams at Bacchus Marsh and Sebastopol
– Coached senior football teams at Ballan and Learmonth
– Premiership player with the Avoca FC (1996). Also won league goal-kicking award
– Tony Lockett Medalist for most goals kicked in a BFL season (1987, 1990)
– Played 20 matches with the Ballarat FL senior interleague side. Member of the division 1 championship teams (1981-83)
– Represented the VCFL at the state championships (1984)
– Ballarat FL interleague coach of VCFL Country Championship Division 2 winning side (2001)
– Picked in the best team ever for the Sebastopol FC, Bacchus Marsh FC and North Ballarat FC
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