Swans on the up going forward
EARMARKED by many as a future Sydney captain, Isaac Heeney is predicting a bright future for the club following a season of regeneration.
Heeney, who will play his 100th game tomorrow against Port Adelaide, was promoted to the leadership group this year.
It has coincided with a season of struggle, with the Swans beset by injury to key players and set to miss the finals for the first time since 2009.
But Heeney sees a big upside in the opportunities coach John Longmire has given the promising youngsters, with 20-year-old speedster James Bell set to become the fifth debutant this year.
“It has been challenging, but I’ve absolutely loved it,” said Heeney, who acknowledged he’d “love to one day, possibly, captain the club”.
“We’ve got such a young team, even though I’m still young myself, it’s really being a role model for them.
“I just love being around the club and being a mentor for these younger fellows.
“A few more games under the younger boys’ belts and we’ll have a really good preseason and we’ll be really good in the next few years.”
With Lance Franklin and Dan Menzel missing much of the season, Heeney has played more minutes up forward than in the midfield.
He would like to flip that around after this season but chuckled at the suggestion midfielders rest when they get moved up forward.
“I find it harder on the halfforward than in the midfield, you seem to be doing more unrewarded running, but it’s not a rest,” Heeney said.