EFNL 2022: Why Heathmont can close gap on rivals according to new coach Scott Hamill

New Jets coach Scott Hamill explains why his side isn’t far off the Eastern Division 2 pacesetters, as attention turns to recruiting ...

Incoming Heathmont senior coach Scott Hamill believes his side isn’t far off the Division 2 pacesetters despite missing the finals this season.

Hamill was recently unveiled as the Jets’ new coach, replacing outgoing mentor Nick Rutley who stepped down in August.

Hamill served a four-year stint as Surrey Park coach in Division 4, leading the Panthers to their first finals campaign in 13 years in 2019.

He held an assistant-coaching role at Knox under Brendan Whitecross through the 2021 and ’22 campaigns.

Scott Hamill stepped down as Surrey Park coach at the end of 2019. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The 2009 Chirnside Park premiership player said while he would look to bolster the Heathmont midfield this off-season, the club would benefit from the return of several key names who missed significant parts of a campaign which ended in seventh place with an 8-10 result.

It missed the finals by four points and percentage.

“I don’t actually feel there’s a massive gap … you have a look at the way they finished the year when they got their players back, and they’re a dangerous, attacking side when they’re at full-strength,” Hamill said.

“They had a terrible year with injuries and keeping people on the park … our biggest asset is going to be keeping our team fit and healthy, but also adding a bit of depth to our list and engaging new players which we’re currently doing at present.”

Hamill said the “young and exciting list” made the Jets’ coaching position an attractive prospect, after the club finished the 2021 campaign in third spot with a 9-3 record when the season was scrapped.

“You go back 12 months when there was the shutdown for Covid and they were probably the best team in the competition,” he said.

“They’re a club that’s definitely on the rise with some great foundations laid over the last couple of years by Nick Rutley, and it’s just about continuing that on.”

Heathmont finished seventh this season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Hamill admits his last outing as a senior coach “was a bitter pill to swallow for a while there” after Surrey Park was dealt a first-week finals exit.

He stood down due to family reasons shortly after, but believes his experience at the Division 4 club coupled with his stop at Knox would set him up well for another crack at senior coaching.

“The coaching bug’s always been there for me – stepping into assistant-coaching at Knox, I really enjoyed my time under Brendan and learnt a hell of a lot,” Hamill said.

“I think it’s going to put me in great stead to be able to steer the ship and push Heathmont forward.”