DEMONS HITS 200 MARK
SCOTT HITS THE ROAD TO CELEBRATE CAREER MILESTONE
A ROAD trip to Maroochydore isn’t quite the milestone fairytale Nick Scott envisaged for his 200th game of senior footy.
But the Surfers Paradise star doesn’t care where he brings up the magic 200 so long as he gets to sing the song at the end of the day.
After three clubs and 10-plus years of senior footy, Scott will mark his 200th game on Saturday when the Demons travel north to play last year’s runners-up.
Mother Nature rained on what should have been a home milestone parade last weekend, as the Dees’ clash with Wilston Grange was postponed due to wet weather.
“It kinda snuck up on me a bit to be honest,” said Scott, who played in his hometown Geelong before stints at Broadbeach and now Surfers Paradise.
“It was an odd kind of morning (last weekend) trying to get myself up for a good game not knowing if we would play or not. I had my bag halfpacked until about 11 o’clock, when we knew it wasn’t going to happen.”
It was to be the catalyst for a mini family reunion of sorts, with Scott’s mum flying up from Geelong for the occasion and to watch her two sons, Nick and brother Sam, play together.
Alas those plans were foiled, though Scott says getting to share in the occasion with his brother – in what will be just their second-ever game together – will make the milestone special no matter what.
Getting to 200 games at any level is a feat shared by a rare few. The 33year-old says changing clubs has helped keep things fresh and challenging – his brother’s arrival in the off-season the latest boost to his hunger.
“Last year we lost to Morningside in the final after our last three games were cancelled and that really lit the fire in my belly to make sure I got something out of the next few seasons,” Scott said.
“When Sam decided to move up here that took it to another level. It hasn’t been the fairytale so far, but I’m really excited to play with him. He really fits the Surfers mould; he’s tough, competitive and leaves everything on the field.
“Hopefully there’s some sunshine and I can actually see him this week.”
Scott was part of the Demons’ 2019 premiership-winning season and continues to be one of their best and most consistent players. He is averaging just under 28 disposals a game across halfback this season.
The Dees are winless so far in 2022 but have started to turn a corner in recent weeks. They came close to upsetting this season’s surprise packet, Noosa, in a thriller at Sir Bruce Small Oval a fortnight ago.
But honourable losses can only go so far. Scott knows it will be a tough task to upset Maroochydore on its home deck, after the Roos left the Coast 55-point victors back in Round 2. But if there was ever a time to make a statement, it is now.
“We think we’re a good chance to beat any side in the competition.” Scott said.
“Obviously we didn’t play well against Maroochydore earlier in the year (but) this week off has probably come at a good time for us to embrace the challenge and claw out of this together.
“We had a bit of a team bonding session (last Saturday) and everyone is ready to go.”