AFL Finals: Isaac Heeney opens up on game 200, Sydney’s preliminary final against Port
Isaac Heeney wanted to be a fullback for Newcastle, now he’s set to play game 200 for the Swans in a home preliminary final. Heeney says he’s ready to lead by example on Friday night.
Sydney
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Isaac Heeney is ready to take on the mantle of Sydney’s star man and lead them to a place in the grand final as the Swans prepare for Friday night’s preliminary final against Port Adelaide.
Heeney was the man of the hour after his remarkable three-goal and 30-disposal performance against the Giants in the qualifying final. Following a week off, which included letting his nose heal after breaking it against the cross-town rivals, he’s ready to help lift the team again in front of a sold-out SCG.
“I’m a competitor,” Heeney said. “So, I want to crack in and want to be known as someone that doesn’t shy away from any contest and leads by example.
“I’m not necessarily the most vocal around the group, especially meetings and whatnot, but on the footy field, I feel like I can do that. And I have the opportunity to be inside and have the first crack at leading by example, especially this year.
“I feel like I’ve been able to do it a few times, which is good.”
Heeney even admitted that coach John Longmire will seek him out during games to demand more, knowing that his performances can be a barometer for the rest of the team.
“Horse sometimes will go, ‘Alright, we need something here’,” Heeney said.
“Whether that’s me having a bit of a quiet game and he needs to rev me up to get me going, or whether he just needs me to hopefully stand up and try and take the game on.
“We’ve got so many players that can do that, which is really nice. So, if I can be one of those players I love that. If not, and I can play a team role and do something else then I will.”
There will be extra cause for celebration for Heeney on Friday as he runs out for the 200th time in the AFL. It’ll be a special moment for the 28-year-old who also becomes the first graduate of the Swans’ Academy to reach the milestone.
Growing up in the Hunter, he might have had dreams of playing fullback for the Newcastle Knights. But he never could have imagined the career he has put together.
“It was rugby league growing up,” he said. “I wanted to do that up until probably the age of 14-15 and it wasn’t until I found the Swans Academy and I could see a pathway there.
“It’s a special club to do it for. I’m so grateful and humbled to be able to do it for the Swans. I never thought I’d play 200 games in a professional sport, let alone for the Sydney Swans. And to do it in a big final in front of a home crowd is something pretty special.”
Heeney’s consistency has been the biggest factor of his career-best form in 2024. Ever since he burst onto the scene with his eye-catching long blonde hair, his talent has been there for all to see. But with his second All-Australian selection locked in, he has well and truly elevated his name into the conversation as one of the AFL’s elite midfielders.
“He’s putting together an incredible streak of performances,” Dane Rampe said.
“The start of the year, he was the hottest ticket in town and was definitely the best player early on in the year. But somehow, incredibly, I think he’s beaten that level that he set for himself early in the year over the last couple of weeks.
“I think that’s just from standing up in big moments, and I guess taking the responsibility of the team when we needed him.”
And Heeney knows that will be vital against a Port Adelaide side they lost to by 112 points in round 21, and haven’t defeated since 2016.
“Each year, you have a completely different team. So we don’t look too far backwards,” Heeney said.
“They’re a very, very good side. Them at their best is up there with the very best in the comp. Hence why they finished second. We know that they’re fired up. They obviously played off a bit of emotion last week.
“We were out of a bit of form (in round 21). So we feel that we’re back. The boys are really confident. We know our best holds up against anyone. And yeah, we’ll be ready to go.”
Originally published as AFL Finals: Isaac Heeney opens up on game 200, Sydney’s preliminary final against Port
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