By Jared Beanland.
There were high expectations surrounding Heathmont’s 2022 season. A finals appearance was predicted by many, however the season that was delivered was patchy at best. The club now looks to reset with a fresh start in season 2023.
This year will see a changing of the guard for Heathmont in regards to coaching. Nick Rutley has stepped aside, making way for a new head coach Scott Hamill. Hamill has had experience at this level prior to this season – he coached Surrey Park, taking them to their first finals appearance in 20 years back in 2019, having also won EFL coach of the year in 2018.
Hamill was also an assistant coach at Knox under Brendan Whitecross for the past two seasons, and as such is already familiar with Division Two.
He’s found himself at Heathmont at an interesting time – on field the team flattered to deceive last year, however all the signs off the field paint the picture of a club in a strong place.
“It’s a good club, they’ve got good facilities for their seniors, and for their juniors as well”, Hamill said.
“The culture’s really strong at Heathmont, they’re a tight-knit group, very close on and off the field. That is players, community, and supporters. It’s just a really great family environment down there,”
“Preseason has been really strong. We’ve had really strong numbers. The guys are really fit, which is good. They’ve adjusted really well to the gameplan structures we’re introducing. I feel we’re in a really good spot.”
After a season punctuated by injuries, the Jets are keen to add some new faces to their line-up, including Lake Tink from Blackburn and Michael Pearson from Norwood.
“New recruits Lake Tink and Michael Pearson have fit in really well. Lake Tink’s really leading from the front in his running, and in general really. He’s been a great asset to the team,”
“Michael Pearson coming on board as a playing assistant has really taken the reins and is also fitting in nicely.”
The Jets are also excited to finally debut key recruit from 2022, Nathan Mullenger-McHugh.
Mullenger-McHugh didn’t play at all last year, so his VFL experience will be a welcome boost to the Jets’ on field performance.
“In terms of current players, we’ve got Nathan Mullenger-McHugh coming back from knee reconstruction. He’s fit and back into full training, so come round one he basically going to be like a new recruit for us.”
While he enjoyed success at Surrey Park, Hamill had also learned his fair share of lessons during his time there, now backed up by further experience at Knox.
“As a senior coach or whatever you do, you always gain experience and are probably better the second time round. I learned a hell of a lot under Brendan Whitecross, and through the mistakes I made at Surrey Park as well,”
“I don’t know if it’s bringing anything new, but it’s definitely just learning from my mistakes. It’s great to be back in senior coaching, and doing it previously it’s just knowing what works and doesn’t work. But it’s also adapting to the group you’ve got in front of you.”
A new club means a new culture, and the culture at H.E. Parker is one that Hamill is embracing. He has high praise for the commitment of the players, which has been displayed throughout this preseason.
“You look back at Heathmont over the past couple of years, they haven’t done a lot wrong in their on-field performance, it’s mainly if you look at last year, they’ve been riddled with injury.”
“So one of the things we’ve been really strong on is getting all the players fit and healthy first and foremost. But the thing that’s been really impressive is the buy-in from the playing group,”
“Everyone there is really determined and committed, and they want success, they want results. But they’re not just putting their hand up and saying they want results, they’re actually pushing towards it, they’re working hard for it,”
“We’ve got great numbers on the track, and there’s a real good vibe around the club.”
Given that Heathmont shares Division Two with Knox, Hamill has had multiple opportunities to take a look at the on field performance of the Jets. This level of reconnaissance stands him in good stead to understand how his new team plays on field, and assess the strengths and weaknesses he will be working with in the coming season.
“I think their strength has always been their skill level, their run and carry with the footy. What we’re really trying to add is being a strong defensive team, but also a fast attacking team on the flip side – that transition running.”
“So it’s been about creating that fitness level and building an environment where the players trust each other and back themselves in when they can to play on instinct.”
“So we’ve really focussed and tried to get our set-ups and structures. They’ve always been a quick side, so it’s about adapting and harnessing that, and using that to our advantage.”
Heathmont will once again be fielding a women’s team for season 2023, after last year’s senior side competing in Division Two.
The Jets Senior Women side finished the season with a record of 2 wins and 11 losses, their only wins coming against Montrose in round 3, and Kilsyth in round 8.
Despite finishing on the bottom of the ladder, the Jets will remain in Division Two, and will face the same field of opponents as they did last year, with the additions of Blackburn, coming down from Division 1, and the Waverley Blues, who are fielding an all new women’s team.
Kane Maciter will once again be heading up the team as senior women’s coach with their season beginning on the 22nd of April.
