Ovens & Murray: Wangaratta agrees to clear Parker Heatley back to North Heidelberg

A finals contender in the O&M has agreed to release its leading goalkicker this season back to his original club.

Wangaratta has been rocked by the mid-season departure of its leading goalkicker Parker Heatley back to North Heidelberg.

Wangaratta president Jon Henry confirmed the 19-year-old would be cleared back to his former club after lodging a transfer request on Friday despite originally being named in the Magpies team to play Wodonga Raiders this weekend.

Parker Heatley booted three goals on debut for Wangaratta Magpies against reigning premiers Wangaratta Rovers. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Heatley’s father Jason is in his first season as Wangaratta coach and Heatley has kicked 14 goals for the Magpies including three on debut against reigning premier Wangaratta Rovers.

“Parker has asked to be released and Jason was part of that decision-making process,” Henry said.

“He leaves with our best wishes and won’t be playing tomorrow.”

The Heatleys are both based in Melbourne.

Last season, Heatley kicked 60 goals for North Heidelberg and won the club’s best and fairest playing under his father.

Wangaratta coach Jason Heatley. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Jason Heatley took over as Wangaratta coach from Ben Reid and has the Magpies sitting in third position on the ladder behind Wangaratta Rovers and North Albury.

Star Wangaratta duo Brad Melville and Nick Richards, the older brother of Port Adelaide player Joe, will also miss the clash against the winless Raiders.

North Heidelberg is fifth on the Northern league ladder under Heatley’s replacement, Kasey Duncan, who previously coached Avenel in the Kyabram District league.

“He went with our best wishes, but unfortunately things haven’t worked out for him,” Duncan said.

“He’s started an apprenticeship recently and just simply wanted to come back.”

Yarrawonga, which has played off in the last three grand finals for one premiership, is the team under the most pressure in the O&M with only two wins in the opening seven rounds.

The Pigeons play Lavington on Saturday with the Panthers climbing to fourth after downing Wangaratta last round.

In a twin setback, Yarrawonga has lost Michael Gibbons to a one-match suspension incurred in his only match this season to date, and former Hawthorn and North Melbourne utility Dan Howe to injury.

Meanwhile, North Albury regains Archer Gardiner after making his VFL debut for Werribee last Sunday.

North Albury plays Corowa-Rutherglen, which is 1-6 and has not named forward Darcy Hope after he was a late out against Wangaratta Rovers last week.

GIPPSLAND

Maffra has rolled in former AFL top-30 draftee Coby Burgiel for the clash against Drouin on Saturday it must win to stay in the hunt to play finals for the first time since Covid.

The homegrown star was drafted by West Coast at the end of 2022 after representing Victorian Country at the under-18 national championships.

His first season with the Eagles was plagued by recurring hamstring injuries and didn’t play a senior match last year before being delisted.

Coby Burgiel was taken by West Coast Eagles in the 2022 draft with the 29th pick. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

He stayed in the west and joined WAFL club East Perth where he hasn’t missed a match and last round had a season-high 19 possessions.

East Perth, which sits second on the WAFL ladder behind South Fremantle, has a bye this weekend.

Maffra coach Anthony Robbins said Burgiel would be a welcome addition alongside his brother Judd and cousin Harry.

“East Perth played on Monday night and were keen for him to get another run under his belt,” he said.

“He was a bit stiff (at the Eagles).

“He got injured at the wrong time and had long periods out when he might have got a look.

“We will just play him on the ball and let him go.

“We’re just playing kids and have got 14 kids who are 21 and under.

“The brand of footy they are playing is great and the consistency is what it is because they’re still figuring out how good they can be.”

Coby Burgiel battles for the ball with Will Ashcroft in the under-18s talent league in 2022. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Maffra has been in rebuild mode since Covid after being one of the most successful country footy clubs with nine flags between 2002 and 2019.

Maffra won only two matches last year, but has beaten reigning premier Traralgon this season to be in a five-way battle for fifth spot with Morwell, Bairnsdale, Warragul and Sale.

For the must-win clash against Drouin, Maffra has also brought in Max Stobie, who is playing for Collegians in the VAFA Premier competition, and Sam Anderson for his first match since round 2.

Originally published as Ovens & Murray: Wangaratta agrees to clear Parker Heatley back to North Heidelberg