Isaac Heeney’s SuperCoach price set to plummet after slow start to season for Sydney Swans

More than 90,000 coaches will this week be confronted by the ultimate SuperCoach dilemma — should we trade Isaac Heeney before his price plummets?

Isaac Heeney has been below his best in the opening two rounds of 2019. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.

More than 90,000 coaches will this week be confronted by the ultimate SuperCoach dilemma.

Trading your premium picks — barring injury or suspension — is seen as one of the cardinal sins of SuperCoach.

Yet Isaac Heeney’s troublesome ankle and a more prominent forward role will have many questioning whether to jump off the popular Swan before his price plummets.

After averages of 97.6 and 97.5 in the past two years, it seemed a fait accompli Heeney would enjoy more midfield time and emerge as the SuperCoach beast we have been waiting for.

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The 22-year-old sent a scare through the Swans camp when he hurt his ankle in the second JLT Series match against Gold Coast and coach John Longmire conceded on Saturday the injury had hampered Heeney’s start to the campaign.

He had 15 disposals, three marks and went goal-less in Friday night’s loss to Adelaide after starting 2019 with 19 possessions, five marks and two goals against Western Bulldogs.

Isaac Heeney has been below his best in the opening two rounds of 2019. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.

Asked whether he was considering using Heeney and Callum Mills more through midfield after the defeat to the Crows, Longmire said: “Heeney was a bit injured tonight. When I say a bit injured, he had a bit of a sore ankle from last week. A bit of a carry over. So we kept him forward a bit and when he went up in the midfield he was probably just a little bit tender. Eight-day break next week so you would expect him to be a little bit better next week.”

Heeney, who started the season with a price tag of $529,200, will drop about $30,000 and be under $500,000 if he scores about 95 or less against Carlton in Round 3.

Here are the factors to consider when weighing up whether to trade Heeney before price changes:

Isaac Heeney has been spending time forward due to an ankle injury. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett.

HIS RECORD AGAINST CARLTON

Heeney has scored 105, 76 and 107 in his last three outings against Carlton. Anything above 100 will limit his price fall and the damage to his break even. The Swans then play Melbourne, Richmond and GWS Giants in what shapes as a testing run of games.

SWANS TOUGH MONTH AHEAD

Can Heeney rediscover his best form as Sydney battles to put its season back on track? The Swans are 0-2 and while they will likely be favourites against Carlton in Round 3, they will be outsiders in matches against Melbourne, Richmond and GWS Giants between rounds four and six. Heeney has scored below 90 in two of his past three games against the Demons.

LANCE FRANKLIN’S RETURN TO FORM

Was the return to form of Lance Franklin against Adelaide the sign John Longmire needed to inject Heeney into the midfield more from Round 3? Franklin showed signs of his best against the Crows, finishing with 3.3 from 16 disposals.

Darcy Cameron and Isaac Heeney jostle at Sydney Swans training. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

WILL HEENEY STILL FINISH THE SEASON AS A TOP-SIX FORWARD?

The question you need to ask before punting any premium player. Heeney’s average of 97 in the past two years should be enough to push the likes of Patrick Dangerfield, Tim Kelly, Josh Dunkley and Justin Westhoff to be a top forward at the end of 2019. But can he rediscover those heights soon?

WHO ARE THE FORWARD PREMIUMS YOU CAN TRADE HIM TO?

Sideways trades are rarely recommended, but if you started without a player such as Tim Kelly this might be your best chance to get him. Heeney should recover at some point, but by that time the other top forwards might set you back a fair portion of your bank if you still want to move him on.

ARE YOU PREPARED TO BURN TWO TRADES TO BRING HIM BACK?

Many of those who parted with Brodie Grundy after Round 1 were of the opinion they could bring him back in a few rounds time for a fraction of his starting price. While that might be true, using two trades on one player is asking for trouble. Starting with 30 trades seems generous enough, but you’ll thank yourself for being frugal in the back half of the campaign when injuries start to hit and players are rested before finals.

FINAL WORD: Hold.