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InFocus 2022 – Heathmont

By Tash Gunawardana

Heathmont will be looking to build on an exciting 2021 campaign, as they eye the next step in their progression under second year coach Nick Rutley.

Heathmont only loss four players over the offseason including Jayden Himmerman to South Morang (NFNL), Matthew Langdon to Montrose (EFNL), Declan McMahon and Jesse Cox.

But they have acquired six players and the player who headlines this list is former AFL Bulldog and Coburg VFL player Nathan Mullenger-McHugh.

The other players that round out this list includes James Rippingale (Serpentine), Nelson Lane (Norwood – EFNL), Harry Wanless (Aquinas – VAFA), Benjamin Fulton (Mount Evelyn – OEFNL) and Ethan Wynne (East Ringwood – EFNL).

Preseason has gone well at Heathmont, with another strong season on the horizon.

“It’s been a good preseason with a big focus on engaging back into a routine that includes footy in their lives again,” Senior Coach Nick Rutley said.

“The game plan has had layers added to it, so we are working on clarity with this across the group and we’re embracing the new assistants and new terminology attached to our game style.”

When it comes to the players to watch this season, Rutley says he believes Fin Brown, Murphy Ambrose and Jed Hansen will have standout seasons as Heathmont fans can look forward to an ever-exciting brand of football from the Jets.

“A very fast competitive outfit who play with freedom and clarity,” Rutley said of his side.

“Our fans are the best and most loyal in the competition, so we look forward to opening up the best facility in the competition and having them enjoy the facility while watching a very close and exciting season of division two footy.”

Kane Mactier takes over as the Heathmont Senior Women’s coach from John Haynes in 2022.

He joined the senior coaching panel last season as an assistant to Haynes after he moved up from the junior club.

Over the offseason, Heathmont added two high quality female players.

“We have picked up some awesome new players this season Alice Hanson from Vermont, Tiarna Preer from the Geelong league and Sami Evans an original foundation Heathmont player,” Mactier said.

“We are in a strong position with numbers.

“We also have the return of some players who missed the majority of last year’s season due to injury.

“I couldn’t be happier with our list at the moment.”

Mactier explained that the club had preseason start later.

“We decided at the end of last year to allow everyone time to pursue other things after the disaster of lockdown and started our pre-season training quite late in comparison to some teams,” he said.

“I think this has been a positive for our group especially with the understanding that our first game isn’t until after Easter.

“We have been in a learning phase while we get used to training again but will soon be lifting the intensity.”

Heathmont’s has two main focusses ahead of the 2022 season.

“We are focussing on areas that will help our team avoid the congestion and open the game up a bit more to increase our scoring ability,” Mactier said.

“We have a number of talented players that we expect will have fantastic seasons,” Mactier continued.

“However, I have a suspicion that even though they played vital roles for us in 2021 both Rachel McPherson and Michaela Martz are going to dominate this season.”

Mactier said that Heathmont are looking forward to building on what they learnt and achieved last season.

“We just want to build on what we achieved last year.” he said.

“Learn and grow as individuals and as a group.”

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