Deakin University 2026 Season Review | Heathmont

By Josh Ward.

The Jets had a new-look senior men’s group take to the park while its senior women’s program went from strength-to-strength as they made a return to Division 2 action.

Senior Men’s

Ladder Position: 9th (5-13, 78.45%)

Leading Goalkicker: Jamie Bennell (24 goals in 15 games)

Best and Fairest: Ryan Young

Summary -

A new era commenced for the Jets in 2026 following the departure of Scott Hammill and the induction of ex-Norwood premiership player Stuart Hill and Jamie Bennell as co-coaches.

It was an up and down start to the season with two wins from their opening four games before they lost their next four, three of which against eventual finalists.

They then had some tough losses and some surprise wins across the final 10 rounds of the season, defeating finalists Waverley Blues and Lilydale but going down to Scoresby and East Burwood in that period.

Three wins in that 10-round period was enough to ensure the Jets play Division 2 footy, finishing a game and just over two percent ahead of bottom-placed Scoresby

Best Win: Round 9 - Heathmont 14.4 (88) def. Waverley Blues 8.16 (64) @ H.E. Parker Reserve

The first of two wins against an eventual finalist this past season for the Jets, which came as a surprise at the time given the four weeks prior they’d lost by 48 points or more and had key personnel out.

After an even start, the Jets were caught off guard by the Blues who kicked four goals to two in the second term to take a 10-point lead at the final change.

Stuart Hill and Jamie Bennell’s men then hit the front by a goal at three quarter time before six goals to two (plus six behinds) in the final term saw the Jets victorious at home.

Harry Eckert and Bennell combined for 12 of the Jets 14 goals, with Eckert kicking seven goals from 18 disposals. Callum Norris also had an exceptional game with 31 disposals, 26 kicks and 165 Premier Data ranking points.

Key Players

In his first season back at his junior club Heathmont, Norris had an exceptional impact in midfield and defence. Averaging just under 22 disposals at 69% disposal efficiency, Norris also averaged five rebound 50s and 16.9 kicks per game.

Heathmont stalwart Ryan Young was also brilliant, averaging 16.7 disposals, 5.1 tackles and 4.4 clearances per game. Young was named in the best on 13 occasions and took home the Jets B&F.

Nick Peck also had a brilliant first season at the Jets, averaging just under eight disposals, three spoils and north of three one percenters per game. Peck was the only Jets player named in the Division 2 Team of the Year.

Jamie Bennell and Harry Eckert also threatened in attack during the season, with both finishing as the Jets top two leading goalkickers on 24 and 22 goals respectively.

What’s Next?

Lots to do for the Jets as they prepare for a Division 2 season that will see them face some new sides in Donvale and Bayswater as well as some familiar foes.

They’ll be without star tall Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, who has joined some of his ex-Bulldogs teammates at Noble Park.

Outside of that though key names such as James Appleby, Young, Peck, Jackson Green and Harry Eckert have all re-signed.

They’ve also regained Declan Browne who last played with Monbulk in 2025 and last played with the Jets in their Grand Final year of 2023.

Ben Horsnaill has also signed on having spent his entire senior career to date with Blackburn, bringing with him a bit of senior experience.

If they’re able to get their star names on the park on a more consistent basis, as well as gain a key forward, the Jets will certainly be capable of improving next year.

Senior Women’s Division Two

Ladder Position: 4th (10-4, 166.67%)

Leading Goalkicker: Emma Simpson (25 goals in 17 games)

Best and Fairest: Anna Carrigg, Ava Seeley & Olivia Heinen

Summary

After spending the past two seasons at the Division 3 level, the Jets made a return to Division 2 action in the Deakin Uni senior women’s competition.

They started off with a bang, winning six of their opening seven games of the season, with their one loss in that period coming against eventual premiers Montrose.

Adam Sullivan’s squad then hit a rough patch as unavailability started to hurt the team, dropping three in a row before a four-game win streak to end the season ensured they entered finals in strong form.

Heathmont then defeated the Waverley Blues in the opening weekend of finals before knocking off Blackburn in an intense Preliminary Final. They ultimately fell short at the final hurdle, succumbing to Montrose on Grand Final day.

Best Win: Preliminary Final - Heathmont 1.4 (10) def. Blackburn 1.2 (8) @ Mulgrave Reserve

Hard to split both their finals wins this past season, but this one was a gutsy win given it was against a potent Blackburn offensive unit and a side desperate to win its first final in a while.

After a one behind to nil opening term in favour of the Jets, a goal apiece in the second saw Heathmont keep their one-point lead intact.

The Jets then kicked one behind to nil in the third before a behind apiece in the last saw them victorious by two-points in a low scoring scrap at Mulgrave Reserve.

Amelia Molnar and Lucienna Watson had some of their best performances for the season while Abbey Scotto was the Jets only goalscorer on the day.

Key Players

The Jets had a wide array of contributors, led by skipper Hailey Ferris who after 22 goals in 15 games this year, as well as seven mentions in the best, was named in the Division 2 Team of the Year.

Joining her in the team was Anna Carigg and Violet Muleta, with Carigg winning the Jets Best and Fairest alongside teammates Ava Seeley and Olivia Heinen.

Experienced heads Kyla Morrow and Rachel McPherson were also consistent contributors over the course of the season, with Morrow named in the best on a team-high nine occasions.

What’s Next?

It continues to be an exciting time for the Jets as they once again prepare for another tilt at a premiership.

They’ll have a new coach at the helm after Adam Sullivan departed the club to join Knox, with Cameron Browne set to head up the Division 2 side while Tony Box remains as the Division 5 side's head coach.

If they’re able to keep their core group together, as well as add to it with more external recruits as well as juniors coming through the ranks, then no doubt they’ll be up there once again at the Division 2 and Division 5 level.

Division 5 Senior Women's

Ladder Position: 4th (9-5, 205.93%)

Leading Goalkicker: Chloe Jones (20 goals in 15 games)

Best and Fairest: Logan O’Connell-Webb

Summary

Heathmont’s development women’s side also had another excellent campaign at the Division 5 level in only their second season as a side.

They started off strongly with three wins to start the year before dropping their next two games against eventual Grand Finalists Templestowe and Upper Ferntree Gully.

The Jets then went on a three game winning streak before dropping their next three games against the Dockers, Kings and North Ringwood Black.

After winning their final two games, Heathmont’s development squad then won a thrilling first semi-final before bowing out on Preliminary Final day against Templestowe.

Best Win: Semi Final 1 - Heathmont Blue 4.2 (26) def. North Ringwood Black 3.7 (25) @ Silvan Recreation Reserve

Not only was this win the Jets development side’s second ever finals triumph, but it was a win that came in overtime and before their Div 2 counterparts won their semi at the same venue.

They jumped out of the blocks, kicking two goals to five behinds before the Saints bounced back with a three goal to nil third term, which saw them lead by two straight kicks.

Heathmont then kicked two goals to tie the scores as the final siren rang, resulting in overtime and Golden Point in which the Jets were victorious in after kicking the only behind of that period.

Miranda Sullivan kicked half of the Jets four-goal tally while experienced heads Emily Eversteyn and Sally had excellent games in the thrilling victory.

Key Players

In her first season at the Jets, ex-Berwick player Logan O’Connell-Webb was brilliant for the development side. Named in the best on 10 of a possible 13 occasions, O’Connell-Webb was the only Jet named in the Division 4 + 5 Team of the Year.

Another Jets stalwart in Emily Eversteyn was also a consistent contributor throughout the year, named in the best on nine of 14 occasions.

Madeleine Ferris, Tiarna Preer and Sally Tran were also key contributors during the year, with Tran named in the best on eight of a possible 11 occasions this past year.

Chloe Jones also excelled in attack this year. Kicking 20 goals in 15 games, Jones was the only Jets Div 5 player to kick more than 10 goals this year.

Netball

Heathmont once again had a strong netball program in 2026, with five sides taking to the netball court in the 2026 Ringwood Mazda Netball competition.

Its Division 4 side, Heathmont Gold, showed patches of promise, winning four of their opening nine games of the season before dropping their final four games of the year to finish eighth in an 11-team competition.

Rachel McPherson took home the sides Best and Fairest ahead of Abbey O’Connor while Zoe Jenkins led the sides goalscoring with 128 goals in just eight games.

Heathmont Jets competed in the division below them this past season. After winning three of their opening four games they then dropped four of their next five games before two wins from their final four games saw them finish in fifth place with six wins for the year.

Jessica Zajc was the sides leading goalscorer and Best and Fairest ahead of Leah Stremski. Scoring 222 goals, Zajc was named in the Division 5 Team of the Year alongside Madi Ferris.

The Jets’ Division 8 side, Heathmont White, had a tougher year. After starting the year in Division 7 and going winless in their first three games there, they then dropped down and won only one game against Nunawading, which resulted in a second last finish on the table.

Caitlin Cook scored a team-high 76 goals while Charlee Rattray-Maier won the sides B&F ahead of Cook. Thiloka Bharati Vidyarathana was the only Jet named in the Division 8 Team of the Year.

Heathmont Yellow had a very successful season at the Division 10 level. After going through the year undefeated, they defeated Montrose Storm to book their ticket to the Grand Final, which they would win against Montrose in a thriller.

Jessica Hall led the Division’s goalshooting with 307 goals, taking home the sides Best and Fairest alongside Rebecca Scarratt. Hall was named captain of the Division 10 TOTY, with Summer Squires and Bronwyn Mayo also listed in the TOTY.

Heathmont Blue also showed patches of promise in Division 12. After winning their opening game, they then lost their next five before winning their next two games. They then lost five of their last six games to finish the year with four wins and in sixth spot.