Hear me out.
For all his match-winning ability, highlight-reel moments and standout individual matches, Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney’s career output does not match his profile, reputation or roughly $900,000-per-season pay packet.
Isaac Heeney is the Sydney Swans’ most widely recognised player.Credit: Getty Images
In nine completed seasons – only one where he played fewer than 14 games, and just two below 20 – the 27-year-old has one All-Australian selection (on the bench in 2022) and never finished in the top three of the Swans’ club champion award.
Heeney was outside the top 10 four times, including his 23-game campaign last year, and was in the top five twice. He has kicked more than 36 goals in a year once, and never averaged 21 disposals or 3.5 clearances.
Is it time for club great Luke Parker to spend more time forward?Credit: AFL Photos
It’s not for a lack of talent or effort, but mostly due to his role. Heeney’s versatility to be damaging as a forward or midfielder, particularly when Sydney lacked punch in attack beyond Lance Franklin, means he has rarely played predominantly as an on-baller, where he is at his best.
That changed in the opening fortnight of this season, with injuries sidelining captain Callum Mills, triple Bob Skilton medallist Luke Parker and recruit Taylor Adams.
Heeney, playing mostly as a midfielder, responded with 26 disposals, 1.1, 13 clearances, eight inside 50s, seven tackles and 12 score involvements in a best-on-ground display against Melbourne in round zero.
He doubled down with 29 disposals, 2.2, four clearances, six inside 50s, four tackles and 10 score involvements at reigning premiers Collingwood’s expense in round one – and should poll maximum votes again. Heeney’s centre-bounce attendances were 14 and 18 across the Swans’ first two matches, whereas he accumulated double digits for that statistic just once for the entirety of last year and only three times in 2022.
Five fearless takeouts: Why a star Swan must stay as a midfielder
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17.03.2024
Hear me out.
For all his match-winning ability, highlight-reel moments and standout individual matches, Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney’s career output does not match his profile, reputation or roughly $900,000-per-season pay packet.
Isaac Heeney is the Sydney Swans’ most widely recognised player.Credit: Getty Images
In nine completed seasons – only one where he played fewer than 14 games, and just two below 20 – the 27-year-old has one All-Australian selection (on the bench in........
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