With his 12-month contract to play on now inked, Heath Scotland is counting down the days to renewing acquaintance with his former coach.
 
For it’s only been once in the past nine years since his trading to Carlton that Scotland crossed paths with Mick Malthouse. That happened briefly at last year’s Brownlow Medal count, when “Scotto” wished his old Collingwood coach every good wish for the Grand Final.
 
Malthouse was at the helm when the Magpies moved Scotland on for a draft selection used to secure the forgotten South Fremantle ruckman Brent Hall, who managed just one senior appearance for the black and whites in 2005.
 
But there is no ill will, which is why Scotland saw the need to clear up any misconceptions.
 
“Because I left Collingwood some people may have assumed I had a falling out with the coach, but it wasn’t that at all. Mick selected me for two finals series and I’ll always appreciate that,” Scotland said.
 
“It was just that I was at Collingwood for five seasons, four of them under Mick, and I hadn’t really established myself as a regular senior player. At the time there were a lot of other players who were ahead of me, and I thought that after five years and knowing that Denis Pagan was keen to get me across the opportunity to go was too good.
 
“So I sought a trade, Neil Balme, Greg Swann and Mick understood, and they gave me the opportunity to play elsewhere. That’s how it goes at footy clubs - I got on with my life and concentrated on my team while Mick got on with his life and concentrated on his.”
 
Today, it pleases Scotland no end that after all these years Malthouse should rubberstamp his new one-year contract.
 
“I spoke to Andy McKay who said that he’d spoken to Mick and Mick said he wanted me around next year if I wanted to be around,” Scotland said.
 
“I’m not sure what Mick’s plans are for me. I’ll be interested in sitting down and having a chat with him, and seeing how the relationship is. It’ll be interesting to hear what his plans are and where I fit in them, and hopefully I can add something to the team he coaches.”
 
Now 32, and fresh from a recent op to clean up his shoulder, “Scotto” dryly concedes he’s traded in the walking stick for the two-handed walking frame. But you know that when the Grand Old Man of Visy Park says he looks forward to the 2012/13 pre-season assault he really means it - particularly now that he’s closing in on his 200th game for Carlton in what will almost certainly be his final season.
 
“My 200th game for the club is within reach now, and I’d be rapt if that was to happen,” Scotland said.
 
“Every player aspires to play in premierships and to play 200 games for their club. To do so means you’ve been pretty durable, you’ve been consistent and you’ve paid your way.”
 
All going to plan, Scotland will complete his 200th senior appearance for the Carlton Football Club in the ninth round of next season - his tenth season with the Blues since parting company with Collingwood.
 
Seems so long ago now since the kid from Braybrook followed his heroes at Footscray, whether at the Western Oval in winter or at Skinner Reserve in summer, where the players sweltered through the pre-seasons within a drop punt of the Scotland family home.
 
Little Heath would front up in the No.7 red, white and blue guernsey made famous by Doug Hawkins . . . “and I still catch up with ‘The Hawk’ who’s a good mate of my stepfather’s”.
 
The football journey has taken Scotland far and wide, from the days when he fronted for the Hawthorn and Sydney reserve grade outfits as a “top-up” player from the Western Jets, through to his drafting by Collingwood and his eventual trading to Carlton some 53 games and five seasons later.
 
For “Scotto”, age shall not weary him, and as he nears the final curtain on his outstanding football career he looks forward with great relish to 2013, particularly after the disappointments of 2012.
 
“It was such a depressing year this year. We underachieved, but there’s a full stop on it now - it’s done, it’s finished and I’m looking forward to starting afresh,” Scotland said.
 
“We’ve got a new coach and with him a new feel and a different atmosphere around the place. I’m sure the players will come back in excellent condition, I can only see improvement in the team and it will be exciting.
 
“You never say never, but this will probably be my last season. I’m just hoping I can finish off strongly and that this time next year we can still be playing them as opposed to watching them.”