Isaac Heeney

Heeney was born in Maitland, New South Wales, to mother Rochelle and father Adam.[https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/sydney-swans-star-isaac-heeneys-character-forged-in-adversity-20150508-ggxg0a.html Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney's character forged in adversity] by David Sygall for The Age 9 May 2015[https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/isaac-heeney-still-doesnt-know-what-happened-to-him-after-hong-kong-assault-says-dad/news-story/b42d13ad11baa98ed274ae57a74fae73 Isaac Heeney still doesn’t know what happened to him after Hong Kong assault, says dad] by NEIL CORDY for the Herald Sun. 22 October 2015 He grew up in the Hunter Region. He received primary level education at Black Hill Public School in Black Hill. He then attended All Saints College. He began playing soccer at the age of 7{{cite news|last1=Parkinson|first1=Andrew|title=Fledgling Swan Heeney takes first steps to AFL|url=http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/1380112/fledgling-swan-heeney-takes-first-steps-to-afl/|access-date=21 April 2015|work=The Maitland Mercury|location=Maitland, NSW|date=22 March 2013}} 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.{{cite web|last1=King|first1=Travis|title=Isaac Heeney 'just wants to play footy' as draft debate rages|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-16/he-just-wants-to-play|access-date=22 April 2015|work=afl.com.au News|location=Australia|date=16 February 2015}} 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.[https://www.sbs.com.au/news/backyard-bruises-gave-hard-edge-to-heeney Backyard bruises gave hard edge to Heeney][http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-16/he-just-wants-to-play Isaac Heeney 'just wants to play footy' as draft debate rages]

Heeney played his junior football for the [http://www.cardiffhawks.com.au/ Cardiff Hawks] in the Black Diamond Australian Football League. A highly rated junior player, he joined the Sydney Swans' Academy at the age of 12 years.{{cite web|last1=Twomey|first1=Callum|title=18 days to the draft: Meet Isaac Heeney|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-09/18-days-to-the-draft-meet-isaac-heeney|access-date=22 April 2015|work=afl.com.au News|location=Australia|date=9 November 2014}} He moved to Sydney for his draft year, completing his final year of school at Waverley College; he lived with a host family in South Coogee and played in the NEAFL for the Swans reserves team.{{Cite web |date=2014-04-11 |title=Heeney's new horizons |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/59218/heeneys-new-horizons |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}

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.{{cite news|last1=AAP|title=Isaac Heeney feeling at home with Sydney Swans in AFL debut season|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-21/isaac-heeney-feeling-at-home-with-sydney-swans-in-afl-debut-sea/6410198|access-date=22 April 2015|work=ABC News (Australia)|date=22 April 2015}} He grew up supporting the Swans and idolised Ryan O'Keefe as a child.{{cite news|last1=Paolucci|first1=Tanya|title=Five fits for Heeney|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2014-12-09/five-fits-for-heeney|access-date=17 November 2019|work=sydneyswans.com.au|date=9 December 2014}} Heeney is also an avid fan of the National Rugby League, and supports the Sydney Roosters club.{{Cite web |date=2019-08-23 |title='When Buddy and I kicked nine' by Isaac Heeney |url=https://www.athletesvoice.com.au/isaac-heeney-when-buddy-i-kicked-nine/2/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=AthletesVoice |language=en-US}}

Heeney 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 drafting rules at the time, the Swans were able to match with their first selection, which was 18th overall.{{cite web|title=Father Son and Club Academy -- Selections Used at Bidding Meeting for Players for 2014 NAB AFL Draft|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-10-06/father-son-and-club-academy-selections-used-at-bidding-meeting-for-players-for-2014-nab-afl-draft|access-date=22 April 2015|work=afl.com.au News|location=Australia|date=6 October 2014}} As a result of this, and the similar round based bidding process used for father–son rule selections, the draft criteria were changed to a points based system to provide for a more equitable outcome.{{cite news|title=AFL Draft Value Index introduces points system for draft picks|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-21/afl-make-a-point-with-new-draft-system/6488530|access-date=21 May 2015|work=ABC.net.au|location=Melbourne|date=21 May 2015}}

Heeney made his debut for Sydney at ANZ Stadium against Essendon in Round 1 of the 2015 season.{{cite news|last1=Sygall|first1=David|title=Sydney Swans rookie Isaac Heeney to debut against 'red-hot' Essendon Bombers|url=http://www.smh.com.au/afl/sydney-swans/sydney-swans-rookie-isaac-heeney-to-debut-against-redhot-essendon-bombers-20150402-1mdq5y.html|access-date=21 April 2015|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|location=Australia|date=3 April 2015}} 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.{{cite news|newspaper=The West Australian|publication-place=Perth, WA|author=Adaimy, Roje|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/afl/a/26933568/swans-come-back-to-beat-bombers-by-12-pts/|title=Longmire applauds tough Bombers after win|access-date=5 April 2015|date=4 April 2015|archive-date=14 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414014311/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/afl/a/26933568/swans-come-back-to-beat-bombers-by-12-pts/|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news|last1=Pengilly|first1=Adam|title=Sydney Swans rookie Isaac Heeney set to cross off another state after Rising Star nomination|url=http://www.smh.com.au/afl/sydney-swans/sydney-swans-rookie-isaac-heeney-set-to-cross-off-another-state-after-rising-star-nomination-20150420-1moy8q.html|access-date=21 April 2015|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|location=Australia|date=20 April 2015}} After a promising start to his season, Heeney suffered a knee injury in Round 6.{{cite web|title=Young Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney sidelined for up to six weeks with knee injury|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/young-sydney-swans-star-isaac-heeney-sidelined-for-up-to-six-weeks-with-knee-injury/news-story/3761b733538ce50e3ebe899b946bbbc2|last1=Cordy|first1=Neil|access-date=7 April 2021|work=Daily Telegraph|date=10 May 2015}}{{cite web|title=Sydney young gun Isaac Heeney to miss up to six weeks|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/sydney-young-gun-isaac-heeney-to-miss-up-to-six-weeks-20150509-ggy3w2.html|last1=Nicholson|first1=Larissa|date=9 May 2015|access-date=7 April 2021}} He returned to the team in Round 17, kicking 2 goals and having an instant impact on the team.{{cite web|title=West Coast vs Sydney - Player Stats|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2015/161820150726.html|work=AFLTables|access-date=7 April 2021}} Heeney played out the remainder of the season, including in the team's finals games. He was named as the Sydney Swans' rising star after kicking 16 goals and averaging 12.6 disposals.{{cite web|title=Heeney wins Rising Star|work=Sydney Swans Media|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/441837/heeney-wins-rising-star|date=9 October 2015|access-date=7 April 2021}}

Heeney had a successful 2016 AFL season, playing every game except for rounds 16 and 17. Heeney set a new personal record for disposals in the opening round, collecting 23.{{cite web|title=Sydney vs Collingwood - Player Stats|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2016/041620160326.html|work=AFLTables|access-date=7 April 2021}} He had a breakout game in Round 4, kicking 4 important goals and collecting 18 disposals,{{cite web|title=Adelaide vs Sydney - Player Stats|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2016/011620160416.html|work=AFLTables|access-date=7 April 2021}} being named as one of Sydney's best on ground.{{cite web|title=Match report: Crows defeat Swans in Saturday night classic|url=https://www.afl.com.au/matches/987#match-report|work=AFL Media|access-date=7 April 2021|last1=Morgan|first1=Kym|date=16 April 2016}} He had one of the best games in his career in Round 7, where he kicked a bag of 5, his highest goal tally to that point.{{cite web|title=Match report: Buddy, Heeney turn it on as Swans dismantle Bombers|last1=Curley|first1=Adam|work=AFL Media|access-date=7 April 2021|date=7 May 2016|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/128603/match-report-buddy-heeney-turn-it-on-as-swans-dismantle-bombers}} He received 3 Brownlow votes for his performance.{{cite web|title=2016 Brownlow Medal - Round by Round|url=https://afltables.com/afl/brownlow/brownlow2016rbr.html|work=AFLTables|access-date=7 April 2021}}

Heeney suffered a season ending injury in the Swans' 8 point loss to {{AFL Ric}} in the 6th round of the 2020 AFL season, after dislocating and rupturing his medial ligament in his right ankle.{{cite web|title=AFL 2020: Isaac Heeney suffers season-ending injury|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2020-isaac-heeney-suffers-seasonending-injury/news-story/234e12024f15456b65d9596ca54e38a5|work=Herald Sun|date=13 July 2020|access-date=7 April 2021}} He had surgery soon after which kept him confined to a moon boot for a few weeks after the completion of the surgery.{{cite web|title=Swans star Isaac Heeney posts post-surgery video after nasty ankle injury|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2020-isaac-heeney-instagram-video-ankle-surgery-pictures-sydney-swans-star-injury/news-story/92b1edfb74ce29bfe0a7523a185b5b25|last1=Waterworth|first1=Ben|work=Fox Sports|date=24 July 2020|access-date=7 April 2021}} He also underwent stem cell treatment to help with the healing of his cartilage that had been removed during the operation.{{cite web|title=Heeney in race for R1 after 'pain in the arse' surgery ... literally|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/544685/heeney-in-race-for-r1-after-pain-in-the-arse-surgery-literally|work=AFL Media|access-date=7 April 2021|date=1 February 2021|last1=Twomey|first1=Callum}}

After a fantastic start to the season, Heeney was considered a favourite for the Brownlow medal but was then controversially suspended. Some thought he may poll the most votes and be an ineligible winner, but he finished in equal fourth.{{cite news |title=Blue blitz! Carlton superstar Patrick Cripps shatters all-time vote record in avalanche Brownlow Medal win|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/brownlow-medal/brownlow-medal-2024-live-updates-full-leaderboard-favourites-and-votes-afl-news-blog-how-to-stream-and-watch/news-story/ed77856d4a13866a55879a00bfa8e554|work=Fox Sports|access-date=23 September 2024}}

In GWS's 2024 qualifying final against Sydney, Heeney took what many to be considered Mark of the Year with a high-flying specky over Jack Buckley, although Heeney was ineligible for the award due to it being in a finals match, a fact that attracted criticism in the press.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-24 |title=‘100 per cent intensity’: Swans coach reveals skipper’s strict deadline to prove GF fitness |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/100-per-cent-intensity-swans-coach-reveals-skippers-strict-deadline-to-prove-gf-fitness/news-story/062282673be98b2fa71006cac89d770b?recommendedCount=0 |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}} In any case, Buckley received widespread respect and acclaim for his act of sportsmanship for holding Heeney's hand to ensure his fall was safe, as Heeney was otherwise falling head-first and could have suffered a severe injury had Buckley not intervened. Among the many that praised Buckley's quick thinking, Heeney's own mother public thanked Buckley on Facebook.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-08 |title=Why Heeney’s mum wants to hug a Giants defender |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/afl-finals-2024-isaac-heeneys-mum-makes-heart-warming-shout-out-to-gws-giants-defender-jack-buckley-c-15983502 |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=PerthNow |language=en}}

Updated to the end of the 2022 season.{{cite web |title=Isaac Heeney|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/I/Isaac_Heeney.html|work=AFLTables|access-date=7 April 2021}}

{{AFL player statistics legend}}

{{AFL player statistics start with votes}}

|-

| 2015 || {{AFL Syd}} || 5

| 14 || 16 || 10 || 120 || 57 || 177 || 67 || 44 || 1.1 || 0.7 || 8.6 || 4.1 || 12.6 || 4.8 || 3.1 || 2

|-

| 2016 || {{AFL Syd}} || 5

| 24 || 28 || 15 || 218 || 180 || 398 || 113 || 92 || 1.2 || 0.6 || 9.1 || 7.5 || 16.6 || 4.7 || 3.8 || 5

|-

| 2017 || {{AFL Syd}} || 5

| 20 || 16 || 13 || 250 || 161 || 411 || 100 || 95 || 0.8 || 0.7 || 12.5 || 8.1 || 20.6 || 5.0 || 4.8 || 4

|-

| 2018 || {{AFL Syd}} || 5

| 22 || 19 || 14 || 248 || 200 || 448 || 99 || 111 || 0.9 || 0.6 || 11.3 || 9.1 || 20.4 || 4.5 || 5.0 || 7

|-

| 2019 || {{AFL Syd}} || 5

| 22 || 26 || 15 || 237 || 204 || 441 || 126 || 85 || 1.2 || 0.7 || 10.8 || 9.3 || 20.6 || 5.7 || 3.9 || 6

|-

| 2020{{efn|The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.}} || {{AFL Syd}} || 5

| 6 || 7 || 7 || 53 || 33 || 86 || 29 || 15 || 1.2 || 1.2 || 8.8 || 5.5 || 14.3 || 4.8 || 2.5 || 5

|-

| 2021 || {{AFL Syd}} || 5

| 21 || 36 || 21 || 222 || 111 || 333 || 119 || 41 || 1.7 || 1.0 || 10.5 || 5.2 || 15.8 || 5.6 || 1.9 || 8

|-

| 2022 || {{AFL Syd}} || 5

| 25 || 49 || 28 || 251 || 159 || 410 || 117 || 118 || 2.0 || 1.1 || 10.0 || 6.4 || 16.4 || 4.7 || 4.7 || 7

|-

| 2023 || {{AFL Syd}} || 5

| 23 || 30 || 19 || 214 || 143 || 357 || 110 || 99 || 1.3 || 0.8 || 9.3 || 6.2 || 15.5 || 4.8 || 4.3 || 2

|-

| 2024 || {{AFL Syd}} || 5

| 24 || 34 || 20 || 328 || 274 || 602 || 108 || 113 || 1.4 || 0.8 || 13.7 || 11.4 || 25.1 || 4.5 || 4.7 || 28

|- class=sortbottom

! colspan=3 | Career

! 201 !! 261 !! 162 !! 2141 !! 1522 !! 3663 !! 988 !! 813 !! 1.3 !! 0.8 !! 10.7 !! 7.6 !! 18.2 !! 4.9 !! 4.0 !! 74

|}

{{notelist}}

Team

• Minor Premiership ({{AFL Syd}}): 2016, 2024
• McClelland Trophy (Sydney): 2016

Individual

• Bob Skilton Medal: 2024
• All-Australian team: 2022
• 2× 22under22 team: 2017, 2018
• AFL Mark of the Year: 2018
• AFLPA Best First Year Player: 2015
• AFLCA Best Young Player: 2016
• AFL Rising Star nominee: 2015 (round 3)
• 3x Goodes-O'Loughlin Medal: 2018, 2021, 2025

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Sydplayer}}
• {{AFL Tables|ref=I/Isaac_Heeney.html}}

{{Sydney player squad}}

{{2022 All-Australian team}}

{{2024 All-Australian team}}

{{Bob Skilton Medal}}

{{AFLCA best young player of the year}}

{{AFLPA best first year player}}

{{2015 AFL Rising Star nominees}}

{{2014 AFL national draft}}

{{Alex Jesaulenko Medal}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Heeney, Isaac}}

Category:1996 births

Category:Sydney Swans players

Category:Australian rules footballers from New South Wales

Category:NSW/ACT Rams players

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Newcastle, New South Wales

Category:People educated at Waverley College

Category:All-Australians (AFL)

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen