Local footy: New Sunshine WRFL coach Heath Scotland reveals his bold vision
New Sunshine coach and former AFL star Heath Scotland discusses his bold ambitions and why he decided to join the Western Region Football League Division 1 club.
Local Footy
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Heath Scotland is not promising immediate success.
But the new Sunshine coach is bullish about the club’s future in the Western Region Football League, declaring his premiership ambitions after replacing Adam Contessa at the helm.
The Kangaroos have competed in Division 1 since 1996 but do not have a flag to show for their efforts, finishing runners-up in 1985, 1987 (both as Sunshine YCW) and 2017.
But not only has Sunshine completed a high-profile appointment, it secured a proven coach, and Scotland has wasted no time outlining his expectations.
The 40-year-old, who played 268 AFL games for Carlton and Collingwood and won a best-and-fairest at the Blues, is aware his young side faces a difficult task to challenge the competition’s elite in 2021.
But he could not be more optimistic about the future as the Kangaroos look to re-establish themselves as a formidable opponent after watching finals from the sidelines the past two years.
They are among nine clubs seeking to put a stop to Deer Park’s stranglehold on the league, with the Lions claiming the past seven premierships.
“I’m certainly not coming out right now and saying we’re pushing Deer Park and we’re going to go for a flag,” Scotland told Leader Local Footy.
“But things change very quickly, and the club was close a couple of years ago.
“We’ll certainly add some players over the journey and hopefully get some players back.
“It’s about building a strong organisation and I like the challenge of being a part of that. We’ll bounce back pretty quickly and hopefully we can taste that ultimate success. That’s the plan and what I’m aiming for.
“That’s part of the excitement of the job – to see if we can take them to their first Division 1 premiership.”
Sunshine came agonisingly close to grabbing the ultimate prize three years ago, falling to Deer Park by three points on the final day of the season.
The Kangaroos waved goodbye to several key players since Brendan Hallinan left the top job in 2018 and have focused on their young players in a bid to climb the ladder in coming campaigns.
They managed to secure ex-Carlton player Ryan Jackson and former Geelong rookie Jock Cornell before the 2020 campaign was canned and are hopeful Scotland’s arrival will help give the senior squad the boost it needs.
But Scotland said the chance to develop Sunshine’s emerging talent was “appealing”.
“The kids are eager and I’m excited about that journey,” he said.
“The kids at Sunshine are coachable. I did my due diligence, speaking to a lot of people about where the club’s at.”
After retiring from the top level in 2014, Scotland had two seasons with Eastern league club Doncaster, helping it achieve the rare feat of a finals appearance in the top flight in 2016 after winning a second tier flag the previous year.
He then steered junior club Darley to finals in each of his three seasons at the helm and led it to a premiership in his first season in 2017.
His achievements in the Ballarat league helped him earn a chance at North Melbourne as a development coach.
But he was let go after 12 months, a victim of the soft-cap cuts amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“It was a bit sudden. I had a two-year contract, so I was planning up until to six weeks ago to be part of North Melbourne Football Club (next year),” Scotland said.
“I knew in reality that jobs are scarce throughout the industry.
“I was very keen to jump back into footy. I thought Sunshine was a really good opportunity. It certainly wasn’t a last-minute thing.
“It’s a really good football club in terms of family, the culture around the place is fantastic.
“I’ve got family and close friends who are rusted on Western Region footy supporters of Braybrook and Albion and the like, and they haven’t been fans of Sunshine in the past, and even they speak highly of the footy club.”
Scotland said coaching a Division 1 club close to home and the chance to help it achieve a maiden premiership “ticked all the boxes”.
He said similarities existed between the job at the Kangaroos and what he faced at Darley, which proved attractive.
“I’m hearing from a lot of other people about how good a football club it is,” Scotland said.
“I’m looking forward to putting my own footprint on the place.
“I’m comfortable with where my coaching abilities are and I know that I’ll be able to drive that football club to the levels it needs to get to.
“With a playing group that I can tell are very coachable and eager, that’s what I’m after.”
Former AFL players Michael Barlow (Yarraville-Seddon), Steve Kretiuk (Hoppers Crossing), Sam Butler (St Albans) and Brodie Holland (Caroline Springs) will also be calling the shots in Division 1 next season.
Chris Atkins, who was set to coach Yarraville-Seddon in 2020 before stepping down in July, has returned to take up an assistant role, while Vinnie Smart will lead the reserves.
Scotland said they were “good Sunshine people”.
The ex-AFL star said he enjoyed passing on his knowledge to youngsters during his playing days, planting the seed for a future in coaching.
He was also coached by decorated duo Mick Malthouse and Denis Pagan.
“Having the taste of it the last five or six years, I’ve really enjoyed seeing the improvement from individuals,” Scotland said.
“When you see them acquire the learnings you’ve taught, it’s such a rewarding facet of the game. It’s something I really enjoy as much as playing.”
Sunshine is in good hands.
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