The decade-long Cardiff connection between Sydney Swans Isaac Heeney and Max King

Without the Swans Academy, Max King’s AFL dream wouldn’t be reality. Without meeting Isaac Heeney as a nine year old at Cardiff Hawks, the dream may have been totally different.

When Max King first joined the Cardiff Hawks at age nine, the proud Aussie rules club from the Hunter was full of excitement for their local star, Isaac Heeney.

Two years earlier, Heeney had been drafted by the Sydney Swans. The active kid had dabbled in pretty much every sport available to him, but thanks to the help of the Swans’ Academy and his love of Aussie rules, the AFL eventually won out.

At the time, it was a unique path to go down. The Newcastle region remains to this day heavily dominated by the Knights, and is well and truly rugby league heartland. But Heeney’s exploits on the field for the Swans quickly inspired a new generation of kids to kick around a Sherrin.

One of those kids was King, who threw himself in the mud on Saturdays and regularly made the trip down to Sydney to pursue his AFL dream.

Isaa Heeney takes a photo with Max King back in his junior days. Picture: King Family/Supplied

Heeney and King, right, during a more recent visit from the Swans’ superstar back to the Hawks. Picture: Adam Yip

And now, more than a decade after Heeney was plucked out of the Hawks to play for the Swans, King will join him after being selected by the club with the 49th pick of this year’s draft.

“To have Maxy come from Newcastle, but also the Hawks, is something pretty special for the club,” Heeney said. “It’s been 12 years between us, it’s a long time, and it makes me feel extremely old, but it’s so good to see these young fellas come through.”

“I think Isaac got drafted when I was like seven or something,” King adds, which draws a laugh from Heeney.

“It’s always been, ‘Isaac’s come from Cardiff, so people can make the big time from Newcastle’. It was really good looking up to him through all my years, and now I finally get to play with him. So yeah, it’s pretty cool.”

King, left, was one of three Swans Academy players picked at the draft alongside Harry Kyle and Noah Chamberlain. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It’s not just the Swans’ men’s program that is increasingly having a Cardiff flavour. AFLW small forward Holly Cooper played for the Hawks, while potential first-round draft bolter Alex Neyland also came through the club and is tipped to join Sydney on Monday night.

Established in 1968, the Hawks are one of the oldest Aussie rules clubs in the region, but there’s no doubt that the sport has grown enormously in the Hunter since Heeney became an AFL superstar.

His pathway to the big leagues was driving around searching for clubs to play for that could actually field a team on the weekend. Now, there are 18 community clubs in the Hunter Central Coast area to choose from.

The athletic forward is ready to make the most of his opportunity at the Swans and has hit the ground running. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The pair were the talk of the town during the Swans’ recent community camp in Newcastle. Picture: Phil Hillyard

But both King and Heeney pay tribute to the Swans Academy in supporting their journey. While the sport is growing more than ever in Newcastle, they know they wouldn’t be on an AFL list if it weren’t for the effort the club puts into developing young talent.

“I was one of the first to get into the Academy at the age of 12,” Heeney said.

“For so many kids these days to have so many different Academy regions, whether it be the Swans or the Giants. All these Academy hubs give kids opportunities, and it helps them to see there is a finish line. I could expose myself to better players, become a better footballer and ultimately get drafted one day.”

King added: “The Swans Academy is the reason why I’m even playing AFL. It’s amazing, but also the players I’ve forged lifelong friendships with. I owe everything to the Academy, and it’s something I’ll always give back to.”

As an incredibly athletic forward, King always appeared destined to get drafted, even if he had a quieter final year than expected. He admits waiting for his name to be called out in the draft was the most “nervous” and “scary” time of his life.

But now the hard work truly begins. King knows there are spots in the forward line up for grabs, particularly with the departure of Will Hayward to Carlton.

And the motivation of getting to play alongside Heeney could be all he needs to make his AFL dream a reality, and give the Cardiff Hawks another star to be proud of.

The two Newcastle boys are hopeful they can do the region proud as they prepare for a big year with the Swans in 2026. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Max is a super athlete, and the nicest thing over the past two weeks has been that he’s come in with a smile on his face and is learning as much as he can,” Heeney said.

“Be a sponge and work hard, that’s all we ask from the young fellas. You do that, you set yourself up for a pretty good career.”

“It would be absolutely unreal (to debut with Isaac),” King added. “It’s been my sacrifice, but also my family’s sacrifice.

“All the trips down the freeway, as Isaac would know, it does take a toll. Everyone would be over the moon if I were granted that opportunity, and it’s something I’m really looking forward to, so hopefully it happens.”

Originally published as The decade-long Cardiff connection between Sydney Swans Isaac Heeney and Max King