AFL 2024: Isaac Heeney is keen to keep his midfield role despite prospect of veteran stars returning after statistical best first five games

Isaac Heeney wasn’t a permanent midfielder before round 1 – but his start to the year in the middle is one of the best on record. So, what happens next? The Sydney star opens up.

Isaac Heeney of the Swans celebrates. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Isaac Heeney is hopeful his move to the midfield is a permanent one after making the most of the opportunity across the opening rounds of the 2024 AFL season.

According to Champion Data, Heeney’s first five games are the best start to the year by any player in the past 15 years.

The Sydney superstar has relished the role transition, averaging 28 disposals, 7.4 clearances and 14 contested possessions a game. That consistency has thrust Heeney into favouritism for the Brownlow Medal and reaffirmed his status as one of the competition’s elite players.

The 27-year-old has always been in the top echelon, earning All-Australian selection in 2022, but there’s no doubt his game has gone to another level as part of Sydney’s engine room.

While Heeney doesn’t give too much notice to the ratings system, he’s grateful that he’s had the chance to show what he can do on the ball after spending most of his career in the forwards.

“Those ratings are a weird one,” Heeney said. “I feel like I’ve had other (games) where I’ve had 20 disposals and five goals and they’re not rated anywhere near as high.

“I feel like I’ve always been able to do this. I’ll always play wherever Horse (John Longmire) needs me to play. For the first five years or so, that’s been predominantly as a forward and I’m happy to do that and do my best at it.

“I grew up playing midfield and it probably does suit me better than a forward. So to have an opportunity to jump in there and have a crack and perform is something I’m proud of and I’d love to work my butt off to do it again and again.”

Heeney has delivered five superstar performances to help kickstart the Swans’ season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

A first full pre-season in years took Heeney’s fitness to a new level, but he still held doubts about whether he could find the form that saw him labelled as a midfield gun through the junior levels. Generating that belief again across the first six weeks of the season has been the biggest positive for him so far.

“You can train well in pre-season but games are a whole other beast,” Heeney said.

“I had a really strong pre-season in a role that I haven’t been in since I was pretty much playing local or representative footy before professional footy.

“To now primarily be inside mid and sneak forward, and learn that role, I’m pretty pleased with how quickly I’ve picked that up and I’m still constantly learning in that new role.”

The move has created headaches going forward as to how John Longmire will make room for the upcoming returns of both Luke Parker and Callum Mills.

While Heeney is looking forward to the shot of experience they will bring, it’s clear he’s hoping it’s not at his expense.

The 27-year-old has stepped up to lead Sydney’s midfield with three of their biggest names on the sidelines. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“They got in (the midfield) earlier, so I’m trying to take my opportunity to keep them out,” he joked.

“It’s an awesome problem, and it’ll be good to have that experience come back in. Hopefully, after the bye, we’ll have Parks in. Taylor (Adams) has already added a bit of experience last week as well.”

NSW is currently in a 29-day gap without a game of footy in town, but fans from the state have been blessed with two of the best teams this season.

Heeney’s Swans, and their cross-town rivals the Giants, currently occupy the top two spots on the ladder with fans already salivating at the thought of a potential all-Sydney grand final later this year.

There’s a long way to go before that dream becomes reality, but any hostilities have once again been put aside as Heeney teams up with Giants captain Toby Greene for the next edition of the 5th Quarter Camps.

Taking place at Giants HQ on April 17 and 19, kids from around the state will get a chance to interact with some of their favourite men’s and women’s footy stars from both Sydney and GWS, including Heeney who is considered the best player in the AFL in 2024.

Helping grow Aussie rules has become a clear passion for Heeney who has spearheaded the 5th Quarter Camps along with the Giants’ Toby Greene. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Hunter product is passionate about helping the growth of Aussie rules in the state, and although it might be a while until a Newcastle-based camp, he and Greene are in it for the long haul to get even more kids kicking Sherrins in NSW.

“It’ll happen soon in the Hunter,” Heeney said. “We’ve got to stay in metro Sydney during the season, but we’ll get one there for sure, hopefully at the new (Cardiff) Hawks ground and maybe a Wagga/Albury camp as well.

“It helps the growth of the game when you’ve got two teams performing well. But it’s so bloody exciting to see the boys and the amount of growth within the girl’s game over the last couple of years.

“I didn’t realise that it would grow as quickly given it is an NRL-dominated state and how passionate their fans are.

“Kids get the biggest boost out of seeing players in the flesh. That’s our point of difference with 5th Quarter, we’ve got players from both teams and AFLW players there. The (Swans) boys have all wanted to get involved and they show great support.

“Seeing the kids excited and hanging off you, they just want to learn as much as they can. But then the feedback from the parents is they’re already excited for the next camp.

“I love putting a smile on kids’ faces and it makes you think we’re doing something pretty good for the community.”

You can find more information about 5th Quarter Camps and sign up for next week’s Sydney edition here.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Isaac Heeney is keen to keep his midfield role despite prospect of veteran stars returning after statistical best first five games