EFNL 2023: Ex-VFL utility Nathan Mullenger-McHugh best afield as Heathmont defeats Ringwood

Heathmont sits among the top rungs of the Eastern league’s Division 2 following a rousing win on Friday night – with an ex-AFL Bulldog front and centre.

A former AFL Bulldog helped Heathmont rebound from a heartbreaking defeat as it held off arch-rival Ringwood on Friday night.

Nathan Mullenger-McHugh starred in a best afield display with three goals as the Jets overcame a third-quarter Redbacks surge to win 12.11 (83) to 10.5 (65) at HE Parker Reserve.

Ex-Heathmont junior Mullenger-McHugh reunited with the club at the end of 2021 following VFL stops at Footscray, Box Hill and Coburg, before a knee injury put paid to his season last year.

But the former Western Bulldogs rookie has returned with great effect this season, featuring among the best in two of the Jets’ three matches.

A five-point loss to Boronia last week has been the only blemish on Heathmont’s campaign, which clicked to a 2-1 record.

The 197cm Mullenger-McHugh has been a welcomed addition back into the Jets’ line-up. Picture: Field of View Photography

“Nath was super,” Heathmont senior coach Scott Hamill said of Mullenger-McHugh.

“He actually hasn’t played a lot of footy over the last couple of years with the Covid years and injury missing the last 12 months – he’s only three games in and he’s only going to get better as the year goes on.”

The hosts raced to a 30-point half-time lead before Ringwood cut the deficit to just 10 at the final change.

Hamill said his camp expected the visitors’ fightback but credited his side’s run in arresting the charge.

Heathmont defeated Ringwood for the Parker Family Cup in Friday night’s clash. Picture: Field of View Photography

“They (Ringwood) set up really well … their run, carry and spread was good and they’re a very quick-running side as well, so we definitely take nothing away from Ringwood,” he said.

“We were definitely expecting them to come … for us, we probably went away from our structures in that third quarter and having the three-quarter-time break we were able to reset and getting our running game going again to get us back on top.

“We showed a lot of resilience and maturity to be able to stand up when they came at us.”

Ringwood’s Josh Meerkotter soars. He finished with two goals. Picture: Field of View Photography

Bailey Stevens finished with three majors for the Jets while Liam Malone and Lake Tink featured among the best.

Meanwhile, Mitch Brereton booted three for the Redbacks while Steve Brown and Ash Stagg stood out.

Heathmont sits third on the ladder and faces a Knox outfit searching for its first win of the season next weekend.

“Knox will be up for the challenge, they’re quite young and have got some really good players – (coach) Steve Buckle will have them up and about,” Hamill said.

“We definitely won’t be taking them lightly.”

Ringwood, sixth with a 1-2 record, hosts Upper Gully (ninth, 1-2) next Saturday.

Heathmont 4.4 9.8 11.8 12.11 (83)

Ringwood 2.1 5.2 10.4 10.5 (65)

Heathmont

Goal kickers:

B. Stevens, N. Mullenger-McHugh 3, L. Tink, L. Grierson, T. Braione, C. Evans, C. Colombo, J. Burleigh

Best players:

N. Mullenger-McHugh, L. Malone, L. Tink, R. Brown, J. Haynes, R. Young

Ringwood

Goal kickers:

M. Brereton 3, J. Meerkotter 2, S. Brown, J. May, J. Bell, B. Gebel-Lamb, M. Jackson

Best players:

S. Brown, A. Stagg, T. Jones, B. Stewart, T. Waack, J. Meerkotter