Northern Football League representative coach Jason Heatley believes the league’s win over the Essendon District Football League has put football in the northern suburbs back on the map.
The NFL was far too good for its local neighbour in a 37-point win at the 2014 AFL Victoria Metro Championships at Visy Park.
Heatley said the strong performance would elevate the NFL’s status within local football circles.
“I think we’ve put Northern football back on the map,” Heatley said.
“People make assertion and have their own assumptions from the outside, but we knew that we have a really good competition with some really good players spread across the board.
“There were guys who missed out on Saturday who definitely could have come in and done the job.”
The NFL will next year take on the Victorian Amateur Football League (VAFA) in the top-billed clash, where the winner will be crowned the No.1 metropolitan football league in Victoria.
Heading into Saturday’s encounter against the EDFL, Heatley had said his aim was for the NFL to return the top of metropolitan football rankings.
The win over the EDFL was a step in the right direction to achieving that goal.
“We’re one step away now,” Heatley said.
“The Diamond Valley historically was always a powerhouse and whether we’ll get to those lofty heights again only time will tell.
“There will be a game in 12 months time and that may answer the question.”
Heatley was full of praise for his team’s performance at Visy Park on Saturday.
The NFL never trailed after booting the opening two goals of the game through Lower Plenty’s Bill Barden and Bundoora spearhead Gary Moorcroft.
The league’s lead extended at every break, eventually running out victors 13.9 (87) to 7.8 (50).
“It was a really even effort,” Heatley said.
“We didn’t relent and full credit to Essendon because there were time where we looked like we were going to dominate and get away but we always knew they were going to come, which they did in the second.
“Once we were able to wrestle back control and put on a bit more scoreboard pressure it was always going to be tough for them.
“We said from day one that we wanted to be able to compete with a good group of guys and, ultimately, win.
“The win is a credit to everyone involved at club land as well who prepare all our players.”
With the game well in control by three-quarter time, Heatley said the NFL’s players were able to enjoy the final stages of the game.
“When you get a side by the jugular and put them away and can enjoy the last five minutes, they’re the memories you can really take away.
“We we’re lucky enough to do that and the boys were able to enjoy the end.”
He said playing representative football would greatly benefit the team’s younger players – including Jesse Donaldson, Brad Leggett, Tom Rogers and Brock McLennan – believing it would add 20 games of experience when they go back to their home clubs.
He also made special mention to his support staff, headed by NFL operations manager Ron McKeown and assistants Phil Plunkett, Bryan Cole and Cristian Brandt.
“The support we’ve had from the league has been great.
“To have guys like Puffa, Jack, Phil and Ron to be able to work with and to be able to pick their brains…it’s amazing.
“They are amazing men with great morals and great objectives and it was great to work alongside them.”
