By Matt Fotia
With a new coach, some new rooms and a handful of new recruits, Heathmont took some time to get going in season 2021, but when they did get going, they were one of the best units around, giving the Jets faithful plenty to smile about.
The Jets now have all the building blocks in place to be a proper destination club and it’s all about making that next step in 2022 and beyond.
Best Win – Heathmont 10.8(68) def Ringwood 9.9(63)
The Jets came into this one staring down the barrel of a 0-3 start and the possibility of kissing finals goodbye before the season even started.
Inspired by the enormity of both the occasion and the context of the game, the Jets performed out of their skins, taking a 15-point lead in at half-time, having five more scoring shots than the eventual Minor Premier.
Ringwood however took control in the third term to take a lead heading into the last quarter before the usually iffy Jets defence held firm keeping the Redbacks to just two behinds, booting two of their own at the other end to get their first win of 2021.
Worst Loss – South Belgrave 13.6(84) def Heathmont 10.4(64)
This performance made the following week’s (see above) even more impressive.
Coming off a poor Round One loss to Division Two surprise packets The Basin, Heathmont gave up a 22-point three quarter time lead in sensational fashion, eventually going down by 20 points in a seven-goal final quarter turnaround.
Having kept the Saints to just six goals in the first three quarters the Jets completely folded in the last term shipping 7.2 to fall to an 0-2 record, with a four-goal haul from youngster Jed Hansen a shining light.
Star Player – Ryan Burleigh
Previously a predominantly outside ball-user, Burleigh went to another level in 2021, making the move to the inside of the contest and reaping the benefits.
He finished the year with nine appearances in the best – Three of them BOG v The Basin, Ringwood, and Boronia -, 10 goals and the club Best and Fairest.
With his ball skills still some of the best around, Burleigh – along with his brother – is set to take the Jets to new heights.
Off-Season Plans
The Jets have already added some very good players to an already strong list with James Rippendale, Nelson Lane and Nathan Mullenger-McHugh committing for Season 2022.
So, we’re back to there being no excuses for the Jets.
They’ve got first class facilities, top end talent and a more than motivated coach.
It’s all about synergy, system, and success from now on.
Women’s
The Female Jets showed plenty of promise in Season 2021 in an interesting division which had two clear front runners in Ringwood and Kilsyth.
Heathmont struggled offensively, but found a way to win, singing the song on four occasions throughout 2021.
Best Win – Heathmont 3.4(22) def Surrey Park 3.3(21)
The Jets ability to win the tight ones shone throughout the year and this game was no better example.
Heathmont led at every change following two goals in the opening quarter, before an incredible fourth quarter saw them keep a surging Surrey Park to just one behind, holding on to the victory.
Tahlia Limburg, Ebony Mactier and Charlotte Tolliday played key roles as the Jets finished joyous.
Worst Loss – Montrose 4.5(29) def Heathmont 0.5(5)
A disappointing early season fixture for the Jets who failed to hit the scoreboard in any meaningful way, going completely scoreless in the third term.
Incredibly they were still just 11 points down at the final change despite sitting on a solemn 0.3 (3), but couldn’t produce a miracle win, conceding 2.3 in the last to lose poorly.
Star Player – Jess Major
Whilst she didn’t take home the club medal, Major more than impressed the EFNL umpiring fraternity, finishing as the Jets leading vote-getter on six votes, squeezing into the Division Two Top 10.
Major snared votes in four games with a pair of doubles in Round Four and Six.
Off-Season Plans
Unlike their male peers, there is still plenty of time before success is a must for this crop of players.
Retention and Development remains the number one Female Football focus at H.E Parker for 2022.