http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2013-08-30/scotland-not-aiming-for-300
I don't think we can afford to lose him ATM with the lack of leadership at the club.
Love to see him play on.
If /when he does stop playing senior footy love to see him as the Capt / Coach of the NBs.
He's going OK, be excellent if he stayed another year, if his fitness is good.
I remember Bryce Gibbs said when he first got to the club he always stayed close to Scotto when training because he was the best trainer at the club. If that's the sort of example he's still setting then we really need him to stay on. One of the few players in the team ATM that does not ever shirk the issue.
This guy is a keeper for certain. I would not be discussing whether he might play. I would be demanding he does and then has a role in the development of new players as a n assistant. He has served the club as much as any other player. He is just what the club needs long term. Work rate and work ethic are forgotten arts in footy. Please help us Scotto and stay on for another season and then help us move forward after that. Its a real shame you started your life with the filth.
Tell him to retire, no point hanging on to him now, been a good servant, time to make room for someone else.
@sheik... Who? It's not like we have such depth that guys are knocking the door down to get his spot.
Needs to stay for the extra year. Far from our worst player and will allow some of the young numpties to have more time to develop.
The other thing for me is that if we lose Scotland, we may as well cement Gibbs in the halfback role for the forseeable future as we don't really have anyone else to play that role.
It's not a case of who our depth is, he doesn't have that much more to offer us.
Based on the fact that we are about to enter a rebuild phase, we are better off making space on the list for a good young guy and get some games into him as soon as we can.
Keeping Scotland (and Waite for that matter) is not going to help us in the long-term.
Scotty has to retire at seasons end.
Getting caught and too slow this year.
The way our club works it would not surprise me sticks and swan extend him which would be a disaster.
It's a very tough call to make. There's been times this year when I've been certain he should retire, then just as many times when I've thought we can't afford to have him retire....
Cons: his reaction time has slowed this year, as has his agility.
Pros: still an excellent user of the footy & generally chooses the right option. Still one of the few blokes who show genuine leadership out on the field. Still pretty reliable when the heat is on. Still very durable.
Considering all the spuds who may potentially be let-go come year's end, I don't see the harm in Scotto getting one more year out of his body.....if he's able to do so.
I can't help but think these comments will come back to bite scotland on the butt when it becomes clear that he may no longer be in the clubs future plans.
If it was me, i'd keep him on next year. Not sure the club believes the same thing, but got nothing to go on other than a hunch.
Wont be in our next premiership team and has to make way for a younger player IMO........is one of my favourites and I love his kicking on both feet but needs to retire so we can blood the next Scotland...
Keep him next season and give him the respect he deserves. That doesn't mean he demands a game but if form and physicality take their toll he should be given a mentor role that could be played in the NB's.
You are a hero Scott,
should be captain of NB and free up the list space.
We need you around the club, but too long in the tooth mate!
So leaving Scotland means keeping a ROK or a pick in the 100's.
Here's another year Scotto.
1 more year I reckon, I think there will be enough changes to the list this year without Scotto retiring. He will at least provide good depth and a good example to our younger players.
If I was coach I would get him to train along side any new mids we draft and suggest he say to them something like "I'm only here for the money, I don't really want to play any senior games, so it's up to you to take my spot off me! I'll help you train your backside off so you can earn/take my place."
I would love to see him captain the Bullants and have a role as a development coach after he retires.
If his body is up to another preseason, especially as we HAVE to improve out strength and fitness, then fair enough, he will deserve another season. That is a decision that he and Malthouse have to come to terms with and preferably soon.
He has an excellent pickup, one of the few long term successes of the Pagan Era.
If he retires and we have a clean out, the most probable outcome for our list, then we have to consider how many picks we will be getting and how many rounds that will take. We could be changing over 10 players, a huge renewal of our list. Some we will be able to trade on, but we will probably be looking for picks around the 80 - 110 mark (I can't see any other clubs other than Melbourne really clearing the decks). Flicking Scotland for pick 95 is very risky, especially when Scotland does have more to offer.
He has a week or 2 to make up his mind, with or without Malthouse. It will not be an easy choice no matter what happens. However, how he performs could tell us the answer. if he is only ordinary, then Malthouse may pull the plug. If he is decent, he may get himself the extra year.
Now that the Fire department have basically told Scotland that he isn't going there, a possible future for him is as permanent captain for the Northern Blues. One of the things we have packed badly this year is continuity and experience at VFL level. Having someone to show them how hard you have to work would be a decent idea. That could also lead him towards the coaching side of things, something he must also consider.
Not playing today.
If we don't get into finals, we may have seen him play his last game in navy blue!