Duncan to replace Heatley at Bulldogs


Published on Tuesday, August 13, 2024

The North Heidelberg Sporting Club has announced that Jason Heatley will resign as senior men’s coach at the conclusion of the 2024 campaign, with current assistant Kasey Duncan to take the reins for the next two seasons.

Heatley will leave the role after four seasons as senior men’s coach, highlighted so far by a preliminary final appearance last year.

In 2024, North Heidelberg sit in second position on the Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 ladder with two home and away games to play and look destined to make another appearance in the finals series.

Heatley is a best and fairest winner at North Heidelberg and was also a member of the 2005 Division 1 premiership team.

Following successful coaching stints at Heidelberg and Northcote Park, Heatley returned to the Bulldogs as coach in 2020.

His replacement will be current assistant Kasey Duncan and has signed on for the next two years in the senior men’s coaching role.

Duncan joined North Heidelberg’s senior coaching panel last year and was also the head coach of the NFNL Under-15 B junior representative football side in 2023.

Prior to the Bulldogs, Duncan was the senior men’s coach at Avenel in the Kyabram District Football Netball League.

A club statement said:

The North Heidelberg Sporting Club announces the resignation of senior coach Jason Heatley that will officially occur post our S24 end of season playing commitments.

Jason’s resignation will come as no surprise to the Bulldogs faithful where he spoke to the playing list & inner sanctum of the club back in May of his intention to finish after five years as a leader of the NHSC.

Jason has been the ultra professional since returning to the club in S2020 (covid year), a season that did not eventuate. With no football it was put to good use in building the foundations of developing the senior list in conjunction with strengthening our U19 program that is reaping the benefits in recent seasons.

His efforts & off field commitment to the club cannot be questioned & for myself as President over the journey it has been a delight to work with the big fella particularly in times of change with the extra challenges that have occurred with local football post covid.

With the senior side currently in 2nd position, Jason has the “fire in the belly” that we hope will take us deep into the D1 NFNL final series.

One door closes however another one opens where we are delighted to announce the appointment of Kasey Duncan as NHSC senior coach for an initial period of two years for seasons 2025 & 2026.

Kasey has been an integral part of our senior coaching panel since coming to the club in S23 & was elevated to assistant coach this season with a real feel for the game & has impressed with his knowledge & communication skills & developing the playing list with an eye to the future.

Having coached his own side previously, Kasey also brings a work ethic & passion that has impressed those working with him that identified he was the ideal candidate to lead the Bulldogs in the immediate years ahead.

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