World Footy News

Hawthorn announced yesterday the New Zealander Kurt Heatherley had been re-signed to a contract extension. There was some speculation that other clubs might seek the services of the key position defender but the new deal will see him stay at Hawthorn.

 

Yet to debut in the AFL Heatherley has been playing well for Hawthorn’s VFL affiliate Box Hill at Full Back and in recent weeks at Centre Half Back. His confident marking of the ball and ferocious attack at the contest are his greatest strengths. 

 

But for the quality and depth of Hawthorn’s defence that has been one of the best in the league the past two years Heatherley may have already stepped up to the AFL. So for now he bides his time honing his skills alongside those AFL players on the training track and coming up against AFL quality forwards in the VFL.

 

Heatherley still looks likely to be the first internationally developed player to play Australian rules in their own country, to go through the development pathway there and ultimately make it to play in the AFL.

 

His team mate and countryman Shem Tatupu has also has been impressing at VFL level in the past six weeks playing up forward and regularly kicking goals. Probably at least a year behind Heatherley in his footy learning he would be hoping the Hawks see a future for both of them at the club.