Heidelberg West coach rapt with club’s progression despite missing finals

Heidelberg West coach Michael Missen believes his club is ready to challenge the top four after making big strides despite losing its top two players.

Nick Paton flies high for Heidelberg West. Picture: Hamish Blair

Heidelberg West coach Michael Missen has hailed his club’s progress despite missing NFL Division 3 finals.

The Hawks knocked off third-placed Old Eltham Collegians for the second time this season on Saturday, claiming a 15-point win at Eltham College.

Missen’s men also have a 46-point triumph over Kilmore and pushed Laurimar to eight points.

However, a 27-point loss to Mernda and inequitable draw – fourth-placed Kilmore played Reservoir more times – saw West miss the top four by four points.

After finishing 6-6 in 2021 and 7-9 in 2019, the Hawks’ 10-8 record is a significant improvement considering the club’s top two players Masaki Miki and Jarryd Coulson both left in the off-season.

Daniel Offer (right) and Alex Hywood celebrate a Heidelberg West goal. Picture: Hamish Blair

Missen believed his club was now ready to challenge the top four in 2023.

“We finished the year pretty well, we were there or thereabouts with those guys that are playing finals, a couple of close results didn’t go our way and as a result we’re a game out,” he said.

“I’m rapt with the way we’ve continued to grow.

“The win-loss isn’t a massive step but 12 months ago, 18 months ago we could win those games against teams around us but weren’t able to compete against those top four sides.

“This year our record stacks up, we’ve played Turtles three times and won both games at their ground and lost the game at home but a point.

“That gives you confidence knowing they’ve finished third and their record is pretty strong against Laurimar and they’ve beaten South Morang.

“We felt we were competitive against Kilmore the first time and probably kicked ourselves out of it, didn’t take our chances, and the mindset changed and won by eight goals at home.

“We led Laurimar by 27 points late in the third quarter, so there’s plenty of positives and the next step for us is to learn how to close out games against good teams.”

In his second season at Heidelberg Park, Alex Hywood has taken his game to another level.

The forward booted five goals in the 14.6 (90) to 11.9 (75) win to take his season tally to 57 – second behind Laurimar’s Jacson Cecil on 84.

Lachlan Reinke in action for Heidelberg West. Picture: Hamish Blair

Tom Kimpton has stood up in Coulson’s absence, taking on the No.1 ruck mantle and producing his best season of footy.

The likes of Brad Moore, Nick Paton, Lachlan Hill and Jordan Bulman have all enjoyed impressive seasons.

Missen said hard work in pre-season had paid dividends.

“Alex has been unbelievable, he was really solid for us last year and I think flew under the radar coming from another league,” Missen said.

“This year he’s gone to a greater level and the think we love is he’s a really selfless player.

“It would be easy for him, when we played the bottom sides, to be hungry and try to kick big bags but if you look at his record he’s performed equally in all games.

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“Tommy was outstanding, he was the clear best player on the ground (on Saturday) in my opinion.

“I’m really proud of his season, he’s improved week-in, week out, and he’s not young so for him to play his best season of football at 32 or 33 is a real credit to him.

“It’s a great highlight for other guys in our group to say if you’re prepared to put the extra work in you will get the benefit back.”

With a young family, Missen is considering his future at Heidelberg West but is expected to return for 2023.