‘I’ve got ammo now’: Isaac Heeney responds to Toby Greene quip as pair cross paths for the first time since viral videos

It was one of the toughest weeks of Isaac Heeney’s career, but he’s ready to bounce back on the field for the Swans and might even have a comeback prepared for their cheeky cross-town rivals.

Sydney superstar Isaac Heeney has joked there could be some lighthearted retribution heading the Giants’ way as he and Toby Greene crossed paths on Wednesday for the first time since last week’s video saga.

Following Heeney’s unsuccessful attempt to appeal his one-match ban, the Swans released a video of the 27-year-old thanking the club and its fans for their support. The Giants’ media team were quick to jump on it, recording a shot-for-shot parody with Greene the next day.

It led Swans chief executive Tom Harley to label the video as “lowbrow”, while others felt Sydney had taken it too seriously.

A message from Toby Greene 🧡 pic.twitter.com/x4TMrkbVTN

— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) July 12, 2024

However, the pair reunited for the first time on day one of their 5th Quarter Camps at Moore Park, and any notion of bad blood was quickly disputed.

“He’s awesome, we’re good mates,” Heeney said. “So, no love lost there.

“I’ve just got ammo now. They’ve got to wait for my turn, it’ll come. It’s absolutely in the back pocket.

“It was a nice little gag there, and there will be a gag coming from me soon too, I reckon.

“We’ll keep focusing on being on top of the ladder, they can keep focusing on being comedians.”

Greene and Heeney were all smiles as they ran drills at their 5th Quarter Camps. Picture: Brett Costello

“It got a bit more media (coverage) than I thought it would do,” Greene added.

“I think (the media team’s) role is getting cut-through in the Western Sydney market. That’s a bit of what you’ve got to do.

“I can certainly appreciate how hard it is to cut-through in Sydney with footy – they’ve got to be on the edge a little bit. But I can understand that people get frustrated (with it) as well.”

It has been one of the tougher weeks of Heeney’s career after the suspension ruled him out of Brownlow Medal contention. He was one of the favourites for the award after a blistering start to the season.

A message from Isaac Heeney ❤️ pic.twitter.com/oZ7N1E8TVI

— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) July 11, 2024

While he’s excited to get back on the field this weekend, he admits there were a number of silver linings to the week off. In particular, he was able to spend some extra time with his family, including his grandmother who is ill.

“It was nice to be back out there training and preparing with the boys, even though I haven’t missed anything bar the game,” Heeney said.

“It was one of those ones that feel like it’s been taken out of our control a little bit which is frustrating. But you can’t dwell on things, you’ve got to get on with it.

“There’s a silver lining to everything, my body needed a bit of a break so I’ve had a good response from my body so hopefully I can finish strong. My gran is pretty crook as well, so I got to go up and see her as well which is nice.”

Heeney is feeling fresh and ready to go following his one match on the sidelines. Picture: Brett Costello

Although the term business partners was repeatedly thrown around to describe Heeney and Greene’s relationships, it’s clear there is a sense of cordiality between them.

And particularly when both are so passionate about growing the game in New South Wales, they’re happy to let bygones be bygones for the sake of Aussie rules.

On Wednesday, the pair had nearly 150 kids attend the first day of the 5th Quarter Camps at Tramway Oval, the first time the sessions have been held in Sydney’s east.

They’re expecting close to 200 attendees on Thursday, with plenty of Swans and Giants teammates along for the ride.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned is just how much growth there is in NSW that’s happened over the past five years,” Heeney said. “It’s good to see it come into these camps and we can spread the love. There’s actually a heap of kids that have come back, and a handful that have been at every camp and driven from Canberra.”

“Footy has got a pretty strong hold in the Eastern Suburbs,” Greene added.

“It helps with the Swans going the way they are.

“The day is the best bit about it. Meeting kids and building a few relationships. We’ve taken it to Canberra, Giants and Swans, and then hopefully Albury, Newcastle and places like that.

“I think that’s all part of what we wanted to do and it’s good to know we’re delivering on it.”

Originally published as ‘I’ve got ammo now’: Isaac Heeney responds to Toby Greene quip as pair cross paths for the first time since viral videos