Originally from Darley, luring Scotland back home has always been high on the Devils’ priority list, with club president Grant Wright hoping to one day get him in Darley colours.

A close friend of Scotland, who is actually still listed as a Carlton player given he only retired this month, Wright said the club had already been in discussions with the 2012 Carlton best and fairest winner.

However, a serious ankle injury that ended his career means Scotland is not a possibility of playing football anywhere this year, according to Wright.

“We had a meeting with Heath and had a good conversation with him,” Wright said.

“He’s still on Carlton’s list so he won’t play football anywhere this year.

“Heath has said he wants to get into coaching and for him the number one thing is family. If the stars all align, we would love to have him one day though.”

Scotland played 268 AFL games over the space of 16 years, notching up 53 games for Collingwood before moving to Carlton in 2004.

Although he is off the agenda for the moment, Wright said another former Magpie would pull on a Darley jumper this year.

Shane O’Bree, who played five matches for the Devils last year (including two finals), has been named on the bench for Saturday’s clash against North Ballarat City and is expected to be available for at least five games throughout the year.

He is yet to play in season 2014 due to his assistant coaching duties at Geelong, but Wright said O’Bree should be able to play at least the required three matches needed in order to qualify for finals, should Darley finish in the top six.

O’Bree played 226 games for Collingwood and 19 for Brisbane Lions.

He was first drafted to Brisbane Lions from North Ballarat Rebels in 1998, having played all his junior football at Beaufort.

Both O’Bree and Scotland played in Collingwood’s grand final losses in 2002 and 2003.

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au