A different blend of Scotch in 2022

One of football’s oldest clubs is currently in an A-Grade Premiership drought. 1978 was the last time Old Scotch held the Premiership cup aloft. 

A lot has changed since 1978. For starters, back then, they were known as Old Scotch Collegians Football Club. The VAFA was A-Section through to E-Section with 58 competing clubs, and Old Xaverians hadn’t won an A-Grade flag, in fact, they were competing in C-Section. 

44 years between a scotch on the rocks, and counting. 

Teams like Coburg, Fawkner, St Kilda, Alphington, Heatherton, Country Colleges, Beverley Hills, AMP Society, Geelong, Thornbury, National Bank, Commonwealth Bank, Uni Reds and Clayton are all no longer. 

In that 44 years they have spent a significant amount of time in the VAFA’s top flight (40 of 44 seasons) watching other teams be victorious, hang medals around their neck and celebrate Premiership reunions. 

1997 and 1998 was the last time the club featured in A-Grade Grand Finals. Losing both to Old Xaverians.

With six home and away rounds to go in 2022, VAFA stalwart Brian Waldron who has watched the Cardinals for many years is seeing something different about this current group under the guidance of Mark Gnatt. 

“People talk about Scotch, they just hang around from fifth to eighth, no that’s not right. This Scotch is different. They’re building something these boys” he said on this week’s edition of the VAFA’s For the Love of the Game Podcast. 

After getting a taste of William Buck Premier in 2021 before the season was abandoned. This year they’ve claimed the scalp of University Blues (twice), Old Brighton (currently third) and pushed Old Melburnians (second) deep into the final quarter. 

Mark Gnatt, has got a group of young men who are keen, eager and willing to learn. In their most recent outing, 16 from the 22 that took to the field are under the age of 23. Angus Symons and Tyler Sellers have both earned rising star nominations this year. 

Seven of the 22 played under Gnatt in the 2019 Under 19 Premiership win over Old Xaverians. 

“They’ve got a young group coming through under a well organised coach. If they can keep it together. They’ll be sitting somewhere in the top 4 next year.” Waldron continued.

While rusted on fans of the Cardinals are starved for success, the recent past is a good indicator of where they’re going. In the last decade the club has finished in the top four on six occasions from the 9 completed seasons. 

The last time they finished seventh in a season was 2011. Following that, top four finishes flowed in 2012, 2013 and 2014 with a winning rate of 65%. 

Mark Gnatt is right behind his boys, and the club is right behind Mark Gnatt. From the outside looking in, the Cardinals are pulling in the right direction all of which holds them in good stead for beyond the 2022 season. 

Can Old Scotch break their Premiership drought? 

2011 – Finished 7th, 6 wins, 11 losses, 1 draw

2012 – Finished 4th, 12 wins, 6 losses (Lost first final v De La Salle)

2013 – Finished 3rd, 12 wins, 6 losses (Lost first final v University Blacks)

2014 – Finished 3rd, 11 wins, 7 losses (Lost first final v Collegians)

2016 – (Prem B) Finished 3rd, 11 wins, 7 losses (Lost Prelim Final v Beaumaris)

2017 – (Prem B) Finished 2nd, 15 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw (Lost Grand Final v Old Brighton)

2019 – (Prem B) Finished 2nd, 16 wins, 2 losses (Lost Grand Final v Caulfield)

2021 – Finished 8th, 3 wins, 8 losses (Season abandoned)

2022 – Currently 6th, 5 wins, 7 losses