JASON Heatley has been re-appointed as coach of the Northern Football League’s senior representative team.
The announcement comes as the NFL begins preparations for its clash with the Victorian Amateur Football League (VAFA) at the 2015 AFL Victoria Metropolitan Championships on March 28.
The leagues are fighting to be crowned the best football league in metropolitan Melbourne, with the VAFA currently holding the number one ranking. The NFL is ranked number two.
Heatley said he was looking forward to coaching the NFL again, after guiding the league to an impressive win over the Essendon District Football League at the 2014 Championships.
“It’s exciting to be going around again,” Heatley told NFL.org.au.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for our league to showcase itself against the VAFA who have got a very proud reputation. I think we will acquit ourselves quite well.
“I think it can really showcase our league and showcase the enormous talent and depth that we’ve got.”
Despite family reasons forcing him to step aside as Northcote Park coach after three years at the helm, Heatley said he was “100 per cent committed” to leading the NFL again.
His assistant coaches will be retired Greensborough premiership coach Robert Hyde, Heidelberg mentor Craig Hunter and former Macleod coach Cristian Brandt.
Hyde and Hunter took their respective sides to the 2014 Division 1 Grand Final, while Brandt will continue as an assistant after working alongside Heatley during the 2014 Championships.
The quartet provides the NFL an experienced and highly credentialed coaching panel.
All four have been recipients of the AFCA Northern Region Senior Coach of the Year and combined they have coached seven NFL premierships.
“To have the two coaches who had their respective sides play in the Grand Final will give us great insight once again to be able to get the best available talent to be able to play,” Heatley said.
“I’m 100 per cent committed to doing whatever I have to do, along with the other coaches, to make sure that we give the guys every chance.
“We’ve got great support from the league and we want to give the players the best opportunity to present.”
An initial playing squad will be released in mid-January, with a five-week training period to commence on February 18.
The 2015 AFL Victoria Metropolitan Championships will again see Melbourne’s six metropolitan football leagues meet in a triple-header at VISY Park
The showpiece game between the NFL and VAFA has been scheduled for 3:20pm.
The NFL progressed to the 1st v 2nd clash after defeating the EDFL by 37 points at the 2014 Championship, while the VAFA retained the number 1 ranking with a 46-point win over the Eastern Football League (EFL).
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