Heath Scotland - Carlton

Carlton

Scotland was ultimately traded to Carlton in exchange for a third round draft pick (No. 35 overall) in the 2003 AFL Draft. 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 Melbourne, 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, and he finished 4th in the John Nicholls Medal. He was awarded life membership of the Carlton Football Club in December 2011. Scotland played consistently well again in 2012, and although he attracted less wider acclaim around the league, he won the John Nicholls Medal for the first time in his career.

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.