EFNL Division 2 2024: ‘Our best is good enough’, Heathmont coach Scott Hamill declares

The Jets surged to a timely win in Eastern’s Division 2 on Saturday to snap a six-game losing run. And with players due back on the park, the coach says his side isn’t done yet.

Heathmont’s Nathan Mullenger-McHugh was best-afield on Saturday. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Heathmont coach Scott Hamill says Saturday’s victory serves as a timely reminder.

Snapping a six-game losing streak, the 2023 runner-up stunned an in-form East Burwood outfit – hot off three wins on the trot – by 45 points to breathe life into its campaign.

Despite just two wins this season, Hamill said his Jets weren’t going to be dismissed quietly.

“We have that internal belief that our best is good enough and that definitely showed on Saturday,” he said.

“To be honest, I thought our effort and turning up at the contest had been OK (over the last six weeks) – we just hadn’t been able to get the wins or kick goals.

“I still think we’ve got a few gears to go yet, and we definitely weren’t at our best (on Saturday), but it was a massive improvement.

“Our pressure was right up and we got them from the start.”

Liam Malone fired off three goals in his return match as former state league ruckman Nathan Mullenger-McHugh lit it up with another best-afield showing.

“Injuries aside, we don’t have many forwards playing at the moment but we got Malone back and he really straightened us up in front of goal and we really took our chances,” Hamill said.

Hamill said the Jets were soon due to regain a swag of gun names – some as early as this week.

Fin Brown, Reuben Brown, Chris Colombo, Ryan Young and Bailey Stevens are among those in line, while Hamill said his side would have to do without Mitch Jones for the rest of the season after an ACL injury.

“No doubt we’ve got a lot of key players out at the moment, but the good thing for us is they all start returning this week, so in a couple of weeks’ time we should be back to full strength.”

Heathmont sits ninth of the division’s 10 teams ahead of its clash with Croydon, fourth, this weekend.

Hamill said the group’s resolve hadn’t wavered despite a tough start.

“The vibe around the club is really good, and we still have that internal belief but it’s just about going out there and being able to execute it.”