"It was a real mental battle for me": 12 minutes and done for Damon Heta but finally over Joe Cullen hoodoo

Damon Heta produced a superb display to defeat Joe Cullen 6–1 in just twelve minutes at the 2025 World Series Finals, sealing his first TV victory over the Yorkshireman after four previous defeats.

There was no dinner reservation waiting for him afterwards, but Heta admitted the short, sharp win felt extra special given Cullen’s recent form going into the World Series Finals.

“Joe, coming off a Pro Tour win, I thought he had all the confidence in the world and he’s going to turn up and average 100 against me, because he’s beat me plenty of times in the past on the TV stage,” Heta said to Online Darts. “I’ve been a bit unlucky, but I’m just really stoked with my checkouts. Sixty percent – I’ll take that every day of the week.”

Cullen arrived in Amsterdam on the back of a Players Championship triumph and further qualification successes, which only added to Heta’s determination.

“When I warmed up today, I was warming up very nerve-wracking,” Heta admitted. “I felt like I was a bit more authoritative with my warm-up and my practice, just because I knew it’s Joe and he’s on a stage – you know what he can do. He was a few millimetres away from Premier League champion, and any other day he can turn up. Like I said, it was a real mental battle for me today to get that win. For me to get that win tonight, and comfortably – it didn’t feel comfortably, but I got it – happy days.”

Heta also welcomed the scheduling, which means he will have a rest before returning for Saturday night’s action.

“I’m really happy to play tonight, have a rest tomorrow, chill out and watch all the other suckers sweat,” he laughed. “I think everyone that plays tonight though, they all play the night game anyway, so it doesn’t really matter. I think it evens out. So yeah, I’m really happy that I get to just chill out and hopefully come back in the night and get another W on the board.”

Reflecting on his game overall, Heta believes extra time on the practice board has been paying dividends.

“Obviously with the World Series and then coming back, I did take time off, so I didn’t put as much practice in as I did,” he explained. “But the last two to three weeks, when I got back, I’ve been relentless on the board. I can feel something coming, and coming really good. My scoring was there on the Pro Tours, that’s why I said about my checkouts, I’m really happy with them tonight. I feel something coming really good because I am putting just a bit more time in. I know how much this back-end means for the rest of next season. And not only that, you’ve got the Worlds, which is very top-heavy now for this year. So yeah, I’m really putting in a bit more work than normal and changing some things up. I feel really good.”

Tonight’s victory also ended Cullen’s four-match TV stranglehold over the Australian. “I didn’t think about it until, sort of, getting the job done,” Heta reflected. “Now I’m like, oh yeah, he beat me this many times. It happens – swings and roundabouts and all that. For myself, I feel it’s a little hurdle that I’ve got over mentally. I’m really happy with that steady performance.”

The Perth native has embraced the World Series circuit, from playing in front of his family back in Australia to making his debut in New York this summer.

“That was insane. I loved every minute of it,” he smiled. “To play half-decent darts as well, that was absolutely brilliant. I got to experience all of that. Hopefully I do something really great between now and then and get to go again, mate. That would be absolutely magnificent.”

Yet despite regularly reaching round two of the Finals – this year marking his fifth appearance at that stage – Heta is still chasing a first quarter-final.

“Yeah – no, just bring the mood down, thanks, appreciate that,” he laughed when reminded. “Look, I’ve come with orange colours, I’ve prayed to whoever. Mate, I’m doing all I can, you know? That’s the goal. I’d love nothing more than just to get through and make a real good run this time. I think I’m due."

The turning point against Cullen came early, as Heta resisted the former Masters champion’s fast start. “It got to 1-1 and he got there with, I think it was an 11-darter or 12, something crazy,” Heta recalled. “I thought, oh, here we go, he’s just going to get on a roll here. But fortunate enough he didn’t. I just kept sticking to my guns and playing that simple game. My checkouts – hitting those doubles and not giving him a chance – especially the 88 where he missed and I took it out, I was like, oh yes! That was crazy good. I was pretty chuffed with myself, and that’s where my confidence grew. I could read the body language and the stage presence of what was going on, so it was pretty good.”

Even his trademark hat throw got a mention, with Heta blaming the Amsterdam air conditioning for an unusual short landing. “I think the air con in the building was on full force and pushed it away,” he joked. “I swear it did a boomerang. Man, I gave it like the Green Bay Packers – Jordan Love, yeah, there you go – I gave it one of those. The spiral just didn’t happen. That air con, I think we need attention to that.”

And for tomorrow? “I’ll give it my bestest,” Heta grinned. “Full of muscle.”