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'I probably looked like an idiot… but I just had some fun' – Red-hot Damon Heta lights up Wollongong on return to Australian Darts Masters

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Aug 9, 2025 11:08 AM ET

Damon Heta returned to home soil in emphatic fashion at the 2025 Australian Darts Masters, dismantling compatriot James Bailey 6-0 in a ruthless display that lit up the WIN Entertainment Centre. Sporting the Green and Gold and revelling in his once-a-year visit Down Under, "The Heat" produced the standout performance of the opening night — and then some.

The 2019 Brisbane Darts Masters champion reminded everyone exactly why he’s now considered one of the elite, having firmly established himself on the PDC circuit since relocating to the UK. His whitewash win over Bailey was clinical, composed, and at times cruel, as he rattled off six consecutive legs with an eye-watering average of 109.98 — the highest of the night by a distance.

From the very first dart, Heta was locked in. He opened the match with back-to-back 121 checkouts — setting the tone for what would be a four-ton-plus finish performance. He added 117 and 104 along the way, hit three 180s, and finished with a doubles percentage of 66.7%, leaving Bailey with precious little room to respond.

A Rare Chance to Perform at Home

For Heta, it was not just about winning — it was about making a statement in front of friends, family, and a passionate Australian crowd. “Yeah, 100%. I just felt really comfortable up there and probably a little bit cheeky,” Heta said in his post-match press conference afterwards. “I didn’t mean to be patronising or anything — I was just feeling comfortable. Looking back, I probably looked like an idiot after I did some things I maybe shouldn’t have, but I just had some fun up there.”

The Perth native, now firmly embedded in the PDC’s global elite, spoke at length about what it means to perform in front of a home audience — a rare chance each year given his UK base and packed calendar. “I think I took about 13 or 14 tickets for friends and family to come watch me, and I just want to perform. To do that in front of the home crowd is brilliant,” he said. “I always want to put on a good show and have a good time. Getting cheers from the home crowd means a lot, especially since I only get it once a year. I’ll take it every time.”

Eyeing more trophies for the cabinet

While the 2019 Brisbane triumph remains a career milestone, Heta is eager to shift the narrative beyond just that single moment and add more titles to his CV. “Oh, 100%. I’d love to be on the big tournaments and stuff like that. Sometimes I get the wrong end of the stick with these 100-plus averages — great, but I don’t want to be known just for the Brisbane Masters all the time,” he admitted. “It’d be great to have a couple of big titles and build from there.”

Backing the Next Generation of Aussies

This year’s return to Australia comes amidst a wave of local talent trying to make the leap onto the global stage — something Heta keeps a close eye on. “I do watch the ADA, the DPA, and the WDF tournaments,” he explained. “Over the last couple of months with all those events, there have been some good averages — consistently good. It’s not just the top six to eight players averaging 80-plus; there’s like 10, 12, 15, even 20 players doing it consistently.”

However, the challenge, he says, remains about transferring that level to the stage. “The key is bringing that level to the stage and having the opportunities all the time,” Heta said. “A lot of them come up and ask me about the stage and how to prepare, and I tell them the more you do it, the more comfortable you get. Then you start sticking to your own darts. Instead of playing mediocre, you bring your best game.”

Despite his growing global presence, Heta remains grounded and appreciative of what playing back home still offers — even if it means missing events in Europe. “I’m just forever grateful that I get to come home every year, play in front of my home crowd, and actually go home,” he concluded. “I do miss some tournaments, which I watch and get a bit of FOMO from — because I like to play — but I’m really stoked to come home and play.”

While some of the sport’s bigger names only just survived their opening round matches, Heta’s commanding win places him firmly among the favourites going into the second night of play. If he can maintain this level and with the crowd very much on his side, few will fancy stepping onto the oche opposite him.