‘Making a mockery’: Isaac Heeney’s all-time mark puts AFL to shame

Swans superstar Isaac Heeney has sent the footy world into meltdown after taking one of the great marks to put the AFL to shame.

Swans star Isaac Heeney took one of the great marks as his side booked direct entry into the preliminary finals, but don’t expect it to be crowned the AFL’s mark of the year.

The Swans came from 28 points down to claim a 13.10 (88) to 12.10 (82) win in a thrilling performance.

In the third term, Heeney ignited his team with what some claimed was not just the best mark of the year, but the best they’d ever seen.

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Heeney flew over Giants defender Jake Buckley to take the grab before surviving what looked like it could have been an ugly dismount to land on his back after Buckley grabbed his arm.

“Heeney! What a hanger,” Jason Bennett screamed in commentary. “He got the ultimate ride. Doing everything to lift his team.”

“Wow,” Matthew Richardson added. “What a star. This is an absolute old fashioned hanger. He can do everything this guy.”

Luke Darcy then chimed in with: “What a hang from Isaac Heeney. Incredible elevation. He defied gravity. What a grab.

“Isaac Heeney trying to put his team on his back. Extraordinary bit of athleticism we just saw.”

The hyperbole didn’t end there.

The My Blue Heaven X account commented: “Heeney’s mark could be the greatest individual feat seen on a football field.”

Newswire’s Ronny Lerner posted: “I think that’s the best mark I’ve ever seen. I’m not just saying that. That was absolutely insane from Heeney.”

Isaac Heeney's incredible third quarter grab. Photo: Fox Sports

In a sign the AFL’s best teams had saved their best for last, the mark came just days after Jeremy Cameron kicked one of the goals of the season to open the scoring against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

However, the two insane moments will not be crowned on Brownlow night, with the goal of the year and mark of the year only recognised during the home-and-away season.

The finalists for the goal and mark of the year awards dished out on Brownlow Medal night have already been named.

West Coast’s Harley Reid, and two of Magpie star Nick Daicos goals are up for the goal of the year award, while North’s Zane Duursma and Collingwood pair Jamie Elliot and Bobby Hill are each nominated for the mark of the year.

CODE Sports’ Daniel Cherny pointed out the irony of the decision.

“The Alex Jesaulenko Medal for mark of the year is named after someone who took his most iconic mark in a grand final, yet finals marks aren’t eligible for the award. Same principle with Phil Manassa Medal for goal of the year. Figure that one out,” he tweeted.

Blues legend Jesaulenko’s mark in the 1970 Grand Final was recognised as the mark of the century, while Magpies legend Manassa booted his famous goal in the 1977 decider.

Channel 7 and Triple M commentator Kate McCarthy posted: “There is no reason why Goal of the Year and Mark of the Year cannot be in Finals. Jezza & Heeney robbed.”

Heeney was on fire, taking a one-handed diving mark as well. Photo by Phil Hillyard

Writer Paul James commented: “That is why Goal and Mark of the Year shouldn’t be decided til the end of the season. Cameron on Thursday and Heeney just now.”

The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph wrote: “Love that the AFL finally have handed out legitimate prizes for mark and goal of the year. Now the next step is allowing finals contenders to be eligible when there is 50k on the line. Heeney and Jezza Cameron deserve to be judged.”

Pies supporter Cameron MacDonald even said Heeney should be there are the expense of Hill’s grab.

“Collingwood supporter here – Heeney is mark of the year, beating Bobby Hill. Change the rules. Daicos kicked Ridiculous goals and is approaching the convo for best in the comp, but he shouldn’t have a nom in GOTY,” he wrote.

Another fan posted: “Heeney making a mockery of Mark of the Year AND Goal of the Year nomination rules out there today!”

Heeney and Cameron could be ruing those rules as well.

Buckley saved Heeney’s life. Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Quick thinking from the Giants player. Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The winner of the goal of the year receive $50,000 with NAB donating another $10,000 to the winning players’ junior footy club.

The mark of the year winner gets $50,000, as well as two million Velocity Frequent Flyer Points, enough for two Business Class tickets for an overseas trip.

After the match, Heeney thanked Buckley for saving him from an ugly landing.

“I’m lucky he grabbed my arm – I thought I was coming down on my head,” he told Fox Footy.

“He actually apologised to me after and made sure I was alright which is nice from him.

“Good bloke Buckley is, but I nearly ended up on my head.”

Originally published as ‘Making a mockery’: Isaac Heeney’s all-time mark puts AFL to shame