Round 8 Guest Tipper: Heath Scotland

Published by
Ben Cotton

Taken with the 44th pick in the 1998 national draft by Collingwood, Heath Scotland played  in two grand finals for the Pies in 2002 and 2003.

At the end of the 2003 season, Scotland was traded to Carlton for Collingwood's pick 35, which turned out to be an absolute steal.

Scotland went on to become an important staple for the Blues' side throughout the late 2000s, racking up possessions at will from the half backline and becoming one of the team's most consistent players.

Scotland averaged 23 or more disposals for seven straight seasons in the navy blue, bursting out of defence with a booming right boot. The highlight of his career came in 2012, when he won the John Nicholls Medal, Carlton's best and fairest award. He retired in 2014 after playing 268 AFL games, including life membership with the Blues.

Nowadays, Scotland owns a signage company called S.O Premium Signage, which he began two years ago. They are currently doing a lot of work with the St Kilda and Carlton Football Clubs, making really sharp and clean designs.

Be sure to visit their website at www.sopremiumsignage.com or get in contact with Scotland on LinkedIn to enquire about their services.

Scotland's Round 8 tips:

Hawthorn v Sydney

"Both teams in pretty good form. Hawthorn have the edge from the last few meetings, but I think it will be Sydney in a close one. It will be a wet deck and lots of contested footy which I think favours them.

Tip: Sydney by 12 points

GWS v West Coast 

"I've been a bit surprised by West Coast this year. GWS obviously have a lot of injuries and I think that will the difference. With the firepower of (Josh) Kennedy I'll run with West Coast."

Tip: West Coast by 10 points

Carlton v Essendon

"Neither team's form has been fantastic and I'd love to see Carlton get their first win on the board. Regardless of ladder positions with these two clubs it always seems to be a good contest. The Blues' team defence has been better in the last few weeks so I'll lean towards them for their first win."

Tip: Carlton by 5 points

Gold Coast v Melbourne

"I think Melbourne should win this. I think they're in better form and are more experienced. Gold Coast have improved this year but I think Melbourne will get the job done with a more dangerous forward line"

Tip: Melbourne by 18 points

Port Adelaide v Adelaide

"I really like Adelaide. Gibbs coming into that side makes them much stronger. They're starting to get a lot of their ball winners back. It will be a good game but Adelaide for me."

Tip: Adelaide by 18 points

Western Bulldogs v Brisbane

"Bulldogs will win this. Brisbane are a young side so I think the Dogs will comfortably get the job done at home."

Tip: Bulldogs by 27 points

Fremantle v St Kilda 


"Saints aren't going too crash hot, but Fremantle themselves have dropped a few. Over there I think Freo will be too strong."

Tip: Fremantle by 20 points

North Melbourne v Richmond

"This will be a good game I reckon. But I think the Tigers are just doing everything right, they're on top and they have winners all over the field. If (Jarrad) Waite comes back it helps North a fair bit, but it's hard to go past the Tigers at the moment."

Tip: Richmond by 24 points

Collingwood v Geelong

"The Pies have been up and about and been a big couple of weeks for them. Considering they've had three games in a short space of time and are coming off a tough fought win, that alone will make it difficult against Geelong and I think the Cats will be too good with Ablett back."

Tip: Geelong by 24 points

Published by
Ben Cotton