HEATH Scotland had returned to the Mulwala Ski Club to collect the shoes he’d lost in a bar scuffle before he delivered a blow that left his victim out cold.
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It was an argument, apparently over some women at the club, that set off the drama early on Sunday, January 29.
In a packed venue, just before 2am, the 40-year-old brother of the Carlton veteran began arguing with fellow patron Brent Gallow.
At some point during this verbal exchange the older Scotland brother, Brett, punched Mr Gallow in the jaw and chaos broke out as the victim’s friends joined the fray, wrestling and fighting with their friend’s attacker as attempts were made to restrain them.
The friends, Mark Vickers-Foote and Kyle Brooks, were later charged with using violence to cause fear.
It was during this skirmish a seemingly clear-headed Heath Scotland stepped in to help security guards restrain his brother, dragging him to the front foyer of the club.
He returned to the bar to find his shoes, lost in the scrap, the court was told.
But what happened next, all caught on closed-circuit television, resulted in the talented midfielder having to be escorted from the building.
Scotland went back to the bar, was handed his shoes and after putting them on, is seen king-hitting Vickers-Foote, striking his jaw with his closed right fist.
The Melbourne man fell directly backwards, unconscious on the floor.
Another large melee erupted between patrons, as others rushed to help Vickers-Foote.
Exactly what drove the AFL player to lash out was never fully explained, though his lawyers made a link to Scotland’s disabled younger brother who was also at the bar that night.
While magistrate Tony Murray dismissed the notion he had acted in self-defence, Scotland’s solicitor Tony Burns said his client had felt a heightened level of protection because of the presence of his younger brother.
“That doesn’t excuse his behaviour, that just explains why he felt the need to be protective of his two brothers,” Mr Burns said.
Scotland’s victim was admitted to Wangaratta Hospital and suffered sustained swelling and soreness to his jaw.
Brett Scotland caused $600 damage to a promotional vehicle in the foyer when he was forcibly ejected from the club.
Police said it was apparent all parties were “moderately well-affected by intoxicating liquor”.
