Sydney likely to net three academy players, Nick Malceski likely to leave for Gold Coast

UPDATE: SYDNEY secured three draft targets including top-five rated Isaac Heeney, justifying its $1M yearly academy investment.

AFL Draft Combine

SYDNEY secured its three draft targets including top-five rated Isaac Heeney, justifying its $1M yearly investment and further enraging heartland clubs.

The Swans gave up their first three picks for gun midfielder Heeney (pick 17), key forward/back Abe Davis and former 800m national champion Jack Hiscox (pick 55).

Academy player Abe Davis at Sydney Swans training. Phil Hillyard

Swans coach John Longmire said he was looking forward to welcoming the trio to the club.

“It’s really exciting to have secured three talented players in Isaac, Jack and Abaina,” Longmire said.

“Isaac is a hard at it midfielder who can basically play anywhere on the ground, he can take a good overhead mark and he’s a real competitor.

“Jack is an elite runner, his ability to run up and down the ground is of a really high level. His improvement over the last 12 months has been really impressive and we’re confident he’ll have a bright future at the Swans.

“Abaina is a key position player who can play at either end of the ground, his versatility and football instincts will be valuable to the team.”

SWANS, SUNS IN BATTLE FOR MALCESKI

Those picks represent real bargains for the Swans, especially Heeney, a top-five talent who won the division two medal at the Under-18 championships.

Davis is a key position swingman perfect for Sydney’s needs given its ageing defence, while Hiscox smashed the 3km time trial record at the draft camp and also notched a 16.1 beep test — equal best for the week.

Sydney recruiting manager Kinnear Beatson said yesterday with clubs retaining picks for trade week he was hopeful Davis and Hiscox might slip further.

The Swans seem destined to lose free agent Nick Malceski who will today again talk to Gold Coast about a three-year offer that seems likely to see him head north.

But a player like Heeney could slot in off the half-back flank before making his way into the midfield.

Pies boss Eddie McGuire has been a consistent critic of the bargains Sydney will pump out under its academy system, with a fairer bidding system to come in next year after an AFL review.

But it is unquestionably good news that NSW kids are being pushed into the AFL system after a dearth of talent from those pathways in recent years.

Beatson said yesterday all three players fitted specific needs at the Swans.

“Hiscox is a really good runner from an aths background who kept playing footy all the way through. Interchange rotations are only going one way and if they go as low as 80 we need blokes running long and hard,’’ he said.

“Isaac is a class act who can really play and Abe is a key position type who will really help our list.

“We have picks 36 and 55 and they will be pushed back to at least 38 and 57 by the compensation picks.

“Clubs might be reluctant to bid heavily because they want their picks for trades so it will be a really interesting (bidding meeting).”

Sydney is filthy the Pies have undermined its Academy with Beatson saying the Swans would have to accept the AFL’s verdict on a new bidding system.

“Our views on academies are well documented. If we like all northern states throw a lot of money at these academies there needs to be some value in it. The AFL will work through that and come up with something equitable for all parties.”

The three picks are part of what will be a record 12 father-son and academy selections with the meeting held at 10am today.