Early career

Heatley started out in the Diamond Valley Football League in Victoria, he kicked 118 goals for North Heidelberg before being recruited to Subiaco

Subiaco Football Club

The Subiaco Football Club, nicknamed the Lions, is an Australian rules football club in the West Australian Football League . It was founded in 1896, and admitted to the WAFL in 1901, along with North Fremantle...

, where he kicked 111 goals in 1993, winning the Bernie Naylor Medal

Bernie Naylor Medal

The Bernie Naylor Medal is an Australian rules football award which is given to the leading goalkicker at the end of each home and away season in the West Australian Football League. It is named after South Fremantle full-forward Bernie Naylor...

. He had caught the attention of AFL recruiters, and was picked up in the 1993 AFL Draft

1993 AFL Draft

The 1993 AFL Draft consisted of a mid-season draft, a national draft at the end of the season and a Pre-season draft, held before the 1994 AFL season....

 by the West Coast Eagles

West Coast Eagles

The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...

. He was unable to break into the strong Eagles team, after 3 seasons on the list for just 3 games, Heatley was delisted at the end of 1996. Heatley had continued to kick goals for Subiaco, 81 in 1994, 123 in 1995 (winning his second Bernie Naylor Medal) and 55 in 1996.

St Kilda career

St Kilda picked Heatley up in the 1996 AFL Draft

1996 AFL Draft

The 1996 AFL Draft was held at the conclusion of the 1996 Australian Football League season.The AFL Draft is the annual draft of new unsigned players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.Clubs receive picks based...

, and he debuted for the Saints in 1997. Heatley kicked 73 goals in 1997, leading St Kilda's goalkicking and being a vital part of a St Kilda team.

Heatley played in 17 of 22 matches in the 1997 AFL Premiership Season home and away rounds in which St Kilda Football Club qualified in first position for the 1997 AFL Finals Series, winning the club’s 2nd Minor Premiership and 1st McClelland Trophy

1997 AFL season

Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 1997.The Port Adelaide Power joined the competition.The Brisbane Lions also joined the competition after the merger of the and ....

.

Heatley played in the 1997 AFL Grand Final

1997 AFL Grand Final

-Match details:-References:...

 in which St Kilda was defeated by 31 points. He was the third highest goalkicker in the AFL

Australian Football League

The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...

 that year, behind Tony Modra

Tony Modra

Anthony 'Tony' Dale Modra is a former Australian rules football player, known for his spectacular marks. He played for the Adelaide Football Club and Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League, mainly at full forward. Modra had the physical strength and size to match the best...

 and Saverio Rocca

Saverio Rocca

Saverio "Sav" Giovanni Rocca is a punter for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League and former Australian rules footballer for both and in the Australian Football League. He has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles.He is one of a few players who have converted from...

.

In 1998 Heatley had an average year, the inconsistency of the team reflected his performances. However, he still won the Saints' goalkicking, albeit with only 48 goals for the year.

In 1999 and 2000 Heatley's AFL

Australian Football League

The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...

 career started a downward spiral. He managed only 13 games in 1999 for a return of 27 goals, and in 2000 he played 7 games for only 15 goals. Heatley was delisted at the end of 2000.

Post AFL career

Heatley return to North Heidelburg in 2001 and won the Diamond Valley goalkicking award by kicking 110 goals.

Heatley had a two year stint with the Tassie Devils in the VFL before coaching Warrnambool in the Hampden league. Heatley returned to Melbourne and coaches Wantirna South in the Eastern Football League

Eastern Football League (Australia)

The Eastern Football League is an Australian rules football League, based in the eastern suburbs of metropolitan Melbourne....

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External links

• WAFL Player Profile