Heeney illness biggest challenge of his career

SYDNEY Swans young gun Isaac Heeney has described his battle with glandular fever as the most difficult period of his short career.

Heeney, 21 next Friday, blew out the cobwebs in last week’s loss against the Giants and is ready to go against Carlton at the MCG today.

“The illness was the most mentally challenging thing I’ve had to face,” Heeney said.

“It was frustrating getting those losses but it was more frustrating not playing. To be back out there it’s hard to explain, it’s why I train, why I push myself so hard to get the best out of my ability.”

Heeney missed almost two months last year with a damaged medial ligament but said being stuck indoors for an extended period of time was much tougher to handle.

“When I did my knee last year and was out for seven weeks, that was OK,” Heeney said.

“I was still able to use my upper body, doing weights, working the grinder and other exercises. To be lying in bed for nearly four weeks was really frustrating.

“It took four weeks before I started to pick up. It was only the week of the West Coast game I started to get back to normal. I wasn’t 100 per cent but I was getting better.”

Heeney was solid without being his usual spectacular self in the loss to GWS, picking up 16 possessions.

However, his recovery is still not where he would like it to be.

The Swans have brought in Brandon Jack to replace his injured brother Kieren (hip), Nic Newman and Jeremy Laidler for the match against the Blues.

The Swans have won their past seven matches against the Blues and are desperate for their first win of the year.

Despite the 0-5 start Heeney still believes they can make the finals.

“We obviously need to start chalking up a few wins, but I feel our confidence is improving. We aren’t far away from getting back to our trademark style,” Heeney said. “We believe we are still a massive chance of making the finals.”