Sturt's Scott McGlone loves nothing more than running. So how does he explain ending up with the nickname Scooter? "It was my mates back home, they actually couldn't spell my name," McGlone said with a laugh. "They wrote it with double o instead of double t. So that says a bit about the calibre of us blokes in Echuca."

Since arriving in South Australia from the country Victorian town, McGlone has forged a name for himself as one of the SANFL's hardest-running defenders.

The 25-year-old was South Adelaide's best-and fairest last year but made the bold move to depart Noarlunga for Unley in the off-season.

"It was a fairly tough decision and one I didn't take lightly," revealed McGlone, who unsuccessfully tried to lure fellow Echuca product Rhys Archard to Oxford Tce.

"With my career and university I was in the city every day and it got a bit taxing travelling to Noarlunga all the time for training.

"I spoke to a lot of people but at the end of the day I needed a bit of a change and the prospect of playing finals at a good club like Sturt was a swaying factor."

After playing in two finals with the Panthers in 2006, McGlone is set to play in his third this season in Sunday's preliminary final against Glenelg.

It's become a common sight to see McGlone striding down the Adelaide Oval wing, taking a bounce and lacing out team-mates Brant Chambers and Ian Perrie.

"Sarge (Perrie) will complain that I don't hit him up enough but Chambo's (Chambers) all right," McGlone said with tongue in cheek. "It's been really good. I'm working on shutting down my bloke first and then trying to break the lines, linking up through the backlines to the midfield.

"It really helps the team when you can get that drive from the counter attack in the backline. Rick's (coach Macgowan) given us a licence to do that so long as we shut our man down."

Come 3.10pm on Sunday, Sturt fans will be hoping McGlone hops back on his scooter again.

« back

© South Australian National Football League 2008 | Terms & Conditions | Content Management System powered by HGWS Web Design