Isaac Heeney says talk over John Longmire’s Sydney Swans future won’t damage finals hopes

Isaac Heeney insists John Longmire’s future will not prove a damaging distraction for a Swans side determined to ‘ride the wave’ that can push them into the finals.

Isaac Heeney of the Sydney Swans.

Isaac Heeney insists coach John Longmire’s future will not prove a damaging distraction for a Swans side determined to “ride the wave” that can push them into the finals.

As Sydney engages in a tug-of-war with North Melbourne for Longmire’s services, Heeney admits it would be gutting to see his coach leave, but says the players are focused on matters they can control.

The Swans are believed to be locked in talks to extend Longmire’s deal beyond 2020 but Heeney says all the outside chatter is not a concern for the players.

“Not at all, we don’t speak about that,” the 23-year-old said. “He’s an unbelievable coach and has been amazing for me. He’s focusing on his year and then whatever happens, happens.

“He’s been amazing for us and hopefully can still be.

NEWS: SWANS STAR ‘DEFUSED’ PUB SCUFFLE

“The whole time I’ve been here he’s been the head coach. He’s an unbelievable person but obviously an unbelievable coach with huge success. It’d be difficult to see him leave but whatever’s best for him, I guess.

“He’s fully invested in this side and into the rest of the season and there’s that hope we can make the finals and we’ll be striving for that and that’s all we’re worrying about at the moment.”

Swans star Isaac Heeney in action.

After a miserable start to their 2019 campaign, the Swans have won four of their past six matches and Heeney says optimism is growing. Now it’s a question of putting together four good quarters as the side, packed with youth, continues to push up the ladder.

“There’s that ultimate goal, definitely (the finals),” Heeney said. “There’s still a chance that we can slip into the eight and we’ll keep that hope there. It’s a matter of taking it week by week.

“We’re really back to our best footy and it’s a matter of riding that wave and keeping that confidence really high and hopefully riding it for the rest of the season.”

An ankle injury has been an irritation for Heeney this campaign but the recent bye has done him the power of good and feels he’s in good shape for the run home.

He’s also confident that the injured Lance Franklin will be back to assist that push for the finals.

“Bud’s travelling all right,” Heeney said. “He’s a bit frustrated after what happened (suffering a hamstring strain against Hawthorn) but he’ll do everything he can to get back and I’m sure he’ll be back before you know it.

“That’s all he’ll be worrying about and getting himself back as he’s obviously such an important player for our team and is going to go a long way to hopefully making us make the finals.”

Last year’s SCG clash against Gold Coast Suns ended in a shock defeat for the Swans, and Heeney, while an admirer of Suns coach (and former Swans assistant coach) Stuart Dew, is in no mood to suffer the same pain again.

“He’s an absolute legend, Stuey, He’s doing wonders for them,” Heeney said. “I reckon he’s doing a really good job even though the results aren’t going their way.

“They always seem to produce a pretty good performance against us so it’s going to be tough on the weekend.

“We started well (last time) but after the first quarter it went backwards pretty quickly. It’s just a matter of using that as a little bit of fuel to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”