Key Facts & Stats
Our Nickname: The Thistles
Founded: 1935
Premierships:
- Seniors: 1957, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1986, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2023
- State Premiers: 1976, 1980
- Reserves: 1967, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1993, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2023
- Under 18: 2023
Most Games Played: Mark Walker (308)
League Best & Fairest:
- SENIORS: R.Clemons 1935, K.Taylor 1957, M.Neilson 1971, G.Breward 1984,1992, A.D.Gibson 1985, J.Cooley 1996, L.Butzin 2004, R.W.Rigney 2007, F.Seymour 2023
- RESERVES: D.Talbot, M.Claridge, J.Sheppard, D.Browning, T. Allison (2022)
- WOMEN: G.Nicholas 2021
Club History
The Old Scotch Collegians Football Club (OSCFC) was founded in 1935 by a group of Launceston business men who were ex students of Scotch College. There were five families who played a strong role in establishing the club. They were the Bushby, Fotheringham, Hogarth, Cocker and Ellis families, and descendants still play an active part 73 years on.
The club is renowned for being a family based club, with very strong ties to the Scotch Oakburn College community and the recently formed East Launceston Junior Football Club, which remains as one of its principal recruiting grounds. Early days were tough as with any newly established club, and this was not assisted when the club went into recess between 1942 and 1945 owing to World War 2. It was not until 1957 before the club some had success in winning and premierships - some 22 years after its establishment.
The club is now extremely proud of the fact that we have won 13 Senior premierships after winning the NTFA Division 2 premiership in 2009 (breaking a 23 year drought), going back to back in 2010 and again winning the premiership in 2013, with all victories against the Fingal Valley.
The senior side has been the benchmark of the competition for a number of years now, and set an NTFA record in 2016, being the first division 2 club to win four premierships in a row (2013 - 2016).
The senior side had also previously won 2 State premierships. Our Reserves have now won 15 premierships and 1 State premiership for an overall count of 30 premierships.
Season 2010 was a historical year. Not only did the Reserves win their 4th straight premiership, but the Seniors went through the year undefeated, and then went on to defeat the Fingal Valley in the Grand Final without allowing them to concede a score, a first in Australian Rules history. It was also the first time the club has won back to back premierships in the same year in both grades.
In 2011 the NTFA announced their team of the decade (2000 - 2010), of which five Old Scotch players were recognised for their outstanding playing achievements throughout the last 10 years. This was an outstanding effort from a group of very good footballers.
The 2019 season saw the introduction of the clubs womens side in the NTFAW.
Season 2021 was a huge year for the Lady Thistles as they made their first final series after finishing second on the ladder. Ella Maurer became the first player from Old Scotch and the NTFA drafted to the AFLW when she was selected by North Melbourne in the AFLW draft. Georgia Nicholas capped off the year by winning the league Best & Fairest.
2021 also saw the NTFA announce their Team of the Decade (2011-2020), of which six Old Scotch Players were recognised. In addition, Kim Curtis was recognised as Coach of the Decade and Tom Pedley was named captain.
2022 saw the introduction of the clubs under 18 mens side.
While other clubs try and buy flags, OSCFC pride themselves on building a successful culture with players only wanting to play for the jumper and not for money, one of the major reasons for our recent success.
2023 was an historic year for the club as our Seniors (undefeated), Reserves and Under 18's in just their second season all went home with premierships, making it a three flag season for the Thistles!
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