He played as a prop at club level in the NRL for the St. George Illawarra Dragons, Parramatta Eels and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, in the Super League for Harlequins RL, and in the RFL Championship for the Widnes Vikings.

[3] He began his professional career at National Rugby League side St. George Illawarra Dragons, progressing through the youth team and earning his first grade début in 2000.

Heckenberg confirmed his first grade place in the beginning of his second year at the club but suffered a severe shoulder injury in a match against Bradford Bulls in May, bringing his 2007 Super League XII campaign to an end.

[5] Heckenberg underwent surgery in June to correct the problem but when he returned from injury for 2008's Super League XIII he again suffered a setback.

[6] Heckenberg was named in the Scotland training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup but was forced to withdraw from the competition due to injury.