Former AFL player Heath Scotland has been nominated for The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame for assault. Scotland pleaded guilty to a charge of assault during an incident in Victoria in 2012.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015 and former NRL player Ben Barba is the most recent recipient.
The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame honours former players and players who received media attention in previous seasons, for similarly scandalous behaviour, and its inductees include Ben Cousins and Julian O’Neill.
Scotland was involved in a brawl which left one man unconscious at the Mulwala Ski Club near Yarrawonga. As a result, he was formally charged with common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm and violent disorder. The ex-midfielder was given a two year good behaviour bond without conviction.
Scotland also avoided conviction for an assault charge in 2005. Perhaps he can blame his behaviour on the unstabilising effect of playing for sworn enemies Carlton and Collingwood during his career.
Image:NuNa
The Frownlow Medal 