SFNL: Heatherton has taken the no expectations route and it is paying dividends

Heatherton coach Matt Shorey has revealed the two key drivers in his club’s 2023 improvement. See what he said.

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Heatherton coach Matt Shorey says a focus on culture and relaxation of expectations is to account for his side’s improving record.

After winning just two of its past 26 matches in Division 2, resulting in relegation at the end of 2022, the Tunners have won six of 13 this season and their most recent has kept the finals dream alive.

A 9.7 (61) to 8.12 (60) win over third-placed Ashwood keeps the Tunners within striking distance, just a win adrift from the top four.

Shorey says the win, to go with the previous five, partially came from “releasing the shackles”.

“It’s a funny one, we all dream about fighting for the finals but as a group, we’re on a good journey at the moment,” he says.

“Win or lose, the vibe is really good, we’re probably not setting too much expectation and taking whatever any team throws at us and seeing how we can improve.

“It (Saturday) felt like an elimination final for us, if we lost that it would’ve been hard to make finals but now we got that, we got the four points, it sort of keeps it alive.

“It’s a different group from Round 5 or Round 6, something clicked since the last Ashwood game and I don’t know what it is.

“We released the shackles a bit and put the pressure off.

“I am pretty proud of them, we have been training pretty hard the last six weeks and it’s been paying off which is pleasing.”

Heatherton. Picture: SUPPLIED

Shorey says the Tunners have also focused on culture off the field to improve the results on it.

“We’re setting a good culture and it’s the stuff I have been honing in on,” he says.

“I feel if you get that stuff right mentally, it just happens naturally and you play better footy.

“This group has got ability, don’t get me wrong, we have ability within our team, it’s a matter of discipline and I think we have been consistent with that over six or seven weeks.

“It’s why we have improved, even against the better sides, but we’re well aware that we don’t want to get complacent either, I think if you take on a Carrum, it can send you back to ground zero if they teach you a lesson.”

The Tunners have another elimination final like game this weekend when they take on Lyndhurst, which is equal on points but sits higher on percentage.

The club will look to field an under-19 side in 2024 as they look to grow.