World Footy News

Three kicks, four handballs and five tackles. Not a big return on debut for Kurt Heatherley with the Hawks in tonights NAB Challenge match against an inexperienced Brisbane side that did not trouble the Hawthorn defenders too much. But commentators and the Hawthorn coach agreed that Heatherley impressed on his first outing with good solid defending and showing some footy smarts.  Hawks fans will have also been pleased by the way he hit the contest hard.

Regular defenders such as Lake, Gibson, Hodge, Stratton, Schoenmakers and Birchall were all missing from the Hawks backline tonight and that list is a good reminder of how far away Heatherley probably is from getting a senior game during the 2014 season. But it is another important step for the kid who first learnt the Aussie game in NZ towards being ready for a senior debut when the time comes.

He showed both good discipline to hold position with his opponents tonight and also the confidence to run off his man and make a contest up the field when it was required.  Hawks fans will have also been pleased by the way he hit the contest hard. On the negative side he gave away two free kicks, but the Lions failed to capitalise on both occaisions kicking minor scores.

Hopefully he will get a chance in the remaining two matches before Round 1 to show what he can do against other senior AFL footballers before an inevitable apprenticeship with the Box Hill Hawks and hopefully and AFL debut at some stage during 2014.

Final Scores

Hawthorn 1.22.13 (154) to Brisbane 0.3.5 (23)