Parker Heatley wins NFNL Division 1 goalkicking title, following in father Jason’s footsteps
Kicking truckloads of goals for North Heidelberg, it’s the Heatley family business, and Parker has joined his father Jason – and several Bulldogs legends – as the league’s best.
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Parker Heatley is taking over the family business – kicking a truck load of goals for North Heidelberg.
Still only 19, the Bulldogs rising star booted 59 goals this season to claim the NFNL Division 1 goalkicking title.
He follows in his father and coach Jason’s footsteps.
Heatley senior is two-time Diamond Valley Division 1 league-leading goalkicker with 118 in 1992, before embarking on an AFL career, and 110 in 2001.
Heatley junior also continues a rich tradition at Shelley Reserve.
North Heidelberg has boasted the No.1 forward 17 times in 32 years with luminaries including Jamie Shaw, Shane Harvey, Brett Hancock and Cristian Brandt.
He finished six goals clear of fellow young gun West Preston-Lakeside’s Dante Colosimo and 16 ahead of Heidelberg’s Zane Barzen.
It’s no surprise Parker has followed in Jason’s path to the goalsquare.
“We’re always talking footy, even just sitting on the couch he’ll get his board out and tell me lead here or lead there,” Parker said.
“At home he’s my dad but get to footy he’s my coach, I don’t even call him dad at footy.
“He treats me like every other player, probably a bit tougher on me than some other players but I love that.”
Heatley returned to the attacking 50m this season after a season in defence for Northern Knights last year.
With the likes of first-round draft pick Nate Caddy up forward, Heatley was squeezed out but says it was a blessing in disguise.
He averaged 14 disposals, four marks and two tackles in 13 Coates League matches.
This year he was ranked elite for forward 50m tackles, contested marks, goal assists and score involvements.
“Before (last) season, Anthony Rocca came to me and told me I was going to play off half-back,” Heatley said.
“I probably didn’t look after my body as well as I could in the pre-season and we had (Nate) Caddy in there.
“It actually taught me how to read the ball better and helped improve my leading pattern, I could dummy one way and come back, knowing where the ball movement was going.”
The Bulldogs spearhead kicked a season-high nine goals against Greensborough in Round 3.
He had bags of six against West Preston-Lakeside, Montmorency and, on Saturday to seal the title, Banyule as well as five against the Roosters again and Bundoora.
He was goalless three times.
Heatley puts his rapid rise down to a terrific team of ball-users and a potent partnership with Adam Giobbi.
“You’ve got your Tardios, Hunts, Brodie White and our skipper Kyle McDonald who are neat ball-users and half-backs like Hamish Murphy or Jack Mapleson and we had Josh Hamilton in on the weekend,” he said.
“We’re not short on good ball-users.
“I’m not that teammate that says kick it to me, we want to get other guys like Adam Giobbi and Brock Chircop off the chain.
“Adam is my partner-in-crime, he’s taught me a lot as a bit of a veteran.
“He keeps me in line and helps me out with a lot, bodywork, leading patterns and just how to fly for the ball even.
“Our forwards coach Kasey Duncan has also been helping me out, he was a handy forward in the day, so with dad as well I’ve got a really good mentor group – all us young guys do.”
Chircop finished with 27 goals in 15 matches, ranked 11th in the competition, while Giobbi bagged 19 in 12 appearances.
The forwardline chemistry saw North Heidelberg finish the season in third place with the second-ranked attack in the league.
It will be challenged this Saturday in a qualifying final against Montmorency, the second-ranked defence.
The two clubs have split the season series.
DIV 1: RICHMOND STAR TO BOLSTER HEIDELBERG FLAG DRIVE
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
DIV 2: LOWER PLENTY MAKES THUMPING FINALS RETURN
Montmorency claimed a 38-point win at Shelley Reserve in Round 6 before North Heidelberg returned serve with a 52-point triumph at Montmorency Park in Round 15.
Heatley kicked one in the loss and six in the win.
“I’m really excited, it should be a great contest,” he said.
“Finals footy at Preston City Oval on a warm, sunny day, this is why we play.”
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