Tully Heatley, a 20-year-old rising star in the Football Queensland Academy of Sport program, has signed her first professional football contract with the current premiers and champions of the women’s A-League, Melbourne City. Making her debut on the 25th of October for the club in the second round of the A-League against Sydney FC, her side came away with a 5-0 win away from home. The young talent showed her talent, dominating along the left wing, making challenges both defensively and in attack across her 30 minutes on the field.
Heatley grew up in Far North Queensland playing football with an older sister who began her career in the A-League back in 2019, while Heatley was still young. At the age of 15, she moved from Hometown Brisbane to the Queensland Academy of Sport and studied at Kelvin Grove State College, where she was a part of the football excellence program. Making her mark in the Under-19 School State Championships in 2022, Under-16 Youth Championships in 2022, and Under-18 National Training Challenge in 2023. In 2023, Heatley was named the players’ player of her under-18 team. As well as also earning her spot in the under-20 national team extended squad in 2023, and being selected to join the Future Matildas program.
Heatley has not had an easy journey into professional football. Her signing came two years later than expected after a serious injury that has had her out of football from June 2024 to early 2026. While trialling at another A-League club, Heatley sustained a devastating ACL and MCL injury. While Heatley made her return to football earlier this year, she broke her collarbone, making this A-League debut match her first in a while.
Heatley discusses her comeback to football in Sydney: “I think it’s huge! I played a little bit this year but then I broke my collarbone as well. So coming back to this game, it’s a pretty tough game to come into but I’m glad we were winning so there was a little bit less pressure, but still a heap of pressure, you never want to mess up.”
Her debut for Melbourne City came at Allianz Stadium vs Sydney FC in the 62nd minute. Her side were up 5-0 as she came onto the pitch. Heatley worked along the left wing both defensively and creating chances in attack that ultimately led to the side maintaining the 5-0 lead.
Heatley shared the feelings around debuting, sharing that “the girls get around you at the end” and that it was “really special and I’m glad tonight was the night, especially in this stadium it’s huge!”
Melbourne City are a very successful team within Australian football, currently holding the Premiership-Championship double win from last season, the club’s third time winning the double. City has a star-studded squad including the recent signings of Australian internationals Cortnee Vine and Jessika Nash as well as A-League stars Taylor Ray and Momo Hayashi. Tully Heatley sits amongst these new signings, joining a hugely successful club.
Heatley shares: “I think it’s a really, really good opportunity, I think they’re one of the better clubs in Australia so I think it’s a great opportunity to have everything that they can provide me and just looking forward to getting more minutes under my belt.”
Tully Heatley’s older sister Winonah Heatley was a part of Melbourne City before her international football move. Winonah Heatley has been hugely successful in her football career so far; she now plays for A.S. Roma and the Australian national team. Being the same age as her sister upon signing for Melbourne City, Tully Heatley may well be heading down the same path of success.
Tully Heatley is a winger and discussed her style of play on the football field: “I think it will take a little bit to get my confidence in this team but I think I’m a little bit creative, I like taking people one-on-one; I work hard, and I like being a team player.”
As this massive opportunity unfolds, Heatley shares her goals going into her first season of professional football: “I think that whenever I get the opportunity I need to take it, and just give 100% whenever I get minutes on the field.”
