Isaac Heeney

Isaac Heeney
Personal information
Full nameIsaac Heeney
Date of birth5 May 1996
Original teamCardiff (BDAFL)
Draft#18, 2014 AFL draft, Sydney
Height/Weight184cm / 80kg
Position(s)Midfielder
Club information
Current clubSydney
Number5
Playing career
YearsClubGames (Goals)
2015–Sydney3 (5)

Isaac Heeney (born 5 May 1996) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Early life

Heeney grew up in the Hunter Region of New South Wales and attended All Saints College throughout his schooling years. He began playing soccer at the age of 7[1] and managed to kick 68 goals in 12 games. Shortly after he picked up a cricket bat and played an age level above his own. He had a batting average of 216.[2] He also travelled with his school to compete in a Sydney rugby league tournament and scored 5 tries in his team's grand final victory.

Heeney played his junior football for the Cardiff Hawks in the Black Diamond Australian Football League. A highly rated junior player, he joined the Sydney Swans' academy at 12-years-old[3] and was selected by the Swans in the 2014 AFL draft. His selection was controversial in that the Melbourne Football Club bid their first selection, number 2 overall, for Heeney but under the existing rules, the Swans were able to match with their first selection, which was 18th overall.[4] This, and the similar round based bidding process used for father–son rule selections, is likely to be changed in future years to a points based system to provide for a more equitable system.[5]

Heeney later revealed he was the only student throughout his entire schooling that played Australian rules football and would have quit in favour of rugby league had the Swans' academy not existed.[6]

AFL career

Heeney made his debut for Sydney at ANZ Stadium against Essendon in Round 1 of the 2015 season.[7] He kicked his first AFL goal, which was also the match-winning goal and last in the match, late in the final quarter as the Swans came from 41 points down in the third quarter to win by 12 points.[8] Following a 4-goal performance at the Sydney Cricket Ground in round 3, Heeney picked up an AFL Rising Star nomination as the Swans got off to an unbeaten start in the 2015 season.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Parkinson, Andrew (22 March 2013). "Fledgling Swan Heeney takes first steps to AFL". The Maitland Mercury (Maitland, NSW). Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  2. ↑ King, Travis (16 February 2015). "Isaac Heeney 'just wants to play footy' as draft debate rages". afl.com.au News. Australia. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  3. ↑ Twomey, Callum (9 November 2014). "18 days to the draft: Meet Isaac Heeney". afl.com.au News. Australia. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "Father Son and Club Academy -- Selections Used at Bidding Meeting for Players for 2014 NAB AFL Draft". afl.com.au News. Australia. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  5. ↑ Pierik, Jon (27 January 2015). "AFL set to introduce live bidding for father-son picks". The Age (Melbourne). Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  6. ↑ AAP (22 April 2015). "Isaac Heeney feeling at home with Sydney Swans in AFL debut season". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  7. ↑ Sygall, David (3 April 2015). "Sydney Swans rookie Isaac Heeney to debut against 'red-hot' Essendon Bombers". The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia). Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  8. ↑ Adaimy, Roje (4 April 2015). "Longmire applauds tough Bombers after win". The West Australian (Perth, WA). Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  9. ↑ Pengilly, Adam (20 April 2015). "Sydney Swans rookie Isaac Heeney set to cross off another state after Rising Star nomination". The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia). Retrieved 21 April 2015.