Heath Scotland has done a lot in his football career, but Saturday’s Ballarat Football League premiership with Darley is right up there.
After 268 AFL games with Collingwood and Carlton, Scotland spent a couple of seasons playing with Doncaster in the Eastern Football League.
Late last year he decided to make the move back to his home club, taking over the coaching reigns for Jarrod Edwards.
Scotland said there was something special about Darley.
“Everyone speaks about their clubs, and the one thing I’ve found in my experience that Darley is a unique club with just general care for everybody.
“I’ve stayed close with a lot of people through my whole AFL career and they’ve always had time for me. So coming back I was really keen to reward them with success.
“Although there was a lot of work done by a lot of people [this year] and I’m proud of the work I’ve done myself, the foundations were set before I got here.”
Scotland, who had never played in a premiership at the Devils, led his side into the grand final against arch rival Bacchus Marsh.
The Devils dominated all day to win 14.13 (97)-6.11 (47).
For Scotland it’s a moment he will saviour.
“To be honest, probably one of the best feelings I’ve had in football … the club which I started my footy at and to come back and get them two flags against their rival.
“The respect I’ve got for this club and the people that have helped build it is huge, for me that’s what it is.
“I was more nervous than any other game I’ve played, because I know how much it meant not only to the players, but to everyone at the football cub.”
Scotland kicked two goals, including a beauty from the boundary late in the last quarter. Despite having the win all but sealed up at three quarter-time, Scotland didn’t allow himself to enjoy the win until the siren went.
“I was still intense and yelling,” he said.
“I just couldn’t shut down until the final siren. We were up by 40-50 points and I kept thinking they would kick five to 10 goals in five minutes, it’s just the way I am. The moment the siren went I could take stock.”
Post game, Scotland said he was hanging up his boots. He finished his playing career with not only a premiership but also the AFL Victoria Country Football League medal as one of the best players in the grand final.
Scotland, who was named BFL coach of the year, was also named in the BFL team of the year and finished top-10 in the league’s best and fairest.
“I won’t be playing footy next year, so it’s a nice way to go out. I’ll focus on the coaching box.”
