SFNL: St Paul’s McKinnon coach Jason Heffernan speaks on his resignation

After informing the playing group of his decision to finish as senior coach this season, St Paul’s McKinnon mentor Jason Heffernan has spoken about how he wishes to be remembered.

Kieran Knox (L) and Jason Heffernan raise the 2018 SFNL Division 1 silverware. Picture: Hamish Blair

Jason Heffernan knows exactly the legacy he wishes to leave when his time as senior coach of St Paul’s McKinnon concludes at season’s end.

Heffernan – who steered the club to a famous premiership in 2018 – informed the playing group of his decision to pull stumps on Tuesday night.

He was involved in elite level programs with Casey (2012, 2013), Northern Knights (2014, 2015) and Port Melbourne (2016) prior to the Doggies’ top job in 2017.

When he signed on, he wanted to not only bring a sense of professionalism, but create an environment that released young people from life’s difficulties.

“For me, because I work in the mental health space, what I wanted to do was create a positive environment for people to be in,” he said.

“So what I would like my legacy to be is that it (the club) was a safe space that helped people both on and off the field.

“That’s been my driver and as I got into different fields within the mental health space, it just reinforced that this is the way young people need to be mentored and led.

“Footy was a release for me growing up, it provided me with a good environment and networks.

“If you’re a tradie, you’ll never look for work, people will know people that know people that know people.

“For me, it was just about it being a good place to be.”

Kieran Knox (L) and Jason Heffernan raise the 2018 SFNL Division 1 silverware. Picture: Hamish Blair

The group that delivered the 2018 flag. Picture: Hamish Blair

The decision for Heffernan, one he calls “bitter sweet”, comes after an extremely successful seven seasons.

He slingshot the Dogs from seventh to third in his debut season and won the flag in year two.

The Bulldogs are yet to miss finals under Heffernan and, despite a poor month, remain in the hunt once again.

He reflected on his time at the Dogs, with his identification of ability as a memory that sits higher than the ultimate prize.

“The thing I go back to is that when I started at St Paul’s, the club was in a precarious position, it was all untapped talent that just needed to be coached,” he said.

“The premiership is what everyone thinks it is, which is a great memory and it’s right up there, but it’s more identifying the talent that was there.

“Every player I ever suggested to go to VFL or TAC Cup made a list, got a contract, so my identification of these guys.

“I will use Will Clark as an example, he was an average ruckman who would get 20 hit outs and not one kick, but, with his hard work as well, we turned him into the best full back in the competition.

“Then when I said you should go to VFL, he got a contract at Sandy, so I look at those and think they are the successes.

“Nick Stathopoulos, I had to fight tooth and nail for him to get to Oakleigh Chargers and he ended up playing in a premiership with them in 2019.

“That hurt us because we lost one of our best players and we got knocked out in a final, but he played in a TAC Cup premiership and was on a VFL list.

“Now he will play at St Paul’s forever, because off the back of this club, he was able to got these opportunities.”

Heffernan delivers a message to his players earlier this season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

As for coaching again down the track, Heffernan hasn’t fully closed the door on moving the magnets again but is looking forward to having a break.

“I have had seven years (as senior coach at St Paul’s McKinnon) but I have been doing it for 12 years straight,” he said.

“It’s the right time, it’s not that I don’t love coaching the boys, I have just looked at the bigger picture and thought about everything.

“Will I coach again? I just want to take a breath and enjoy the back end of this season with these guys.

“Realistically, I would believe after letting the dust settle I will be lost to coaching but in what form I am not really sure.”