Maitland’s Isaac Heeney has drawn comparison with some of the AFL’s best players ahead of his maiden finals campaign.
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With one round remaining in the regular season, Heeney’s teammate Dan Hannebery said the 19-year-old rookie had ability like Brownlow Medal favourite Nat Fyfe and has performed in the same league as greats such as Joel Selwood and Chris Judd in a debut year.
“He’s had a ripping first year and he takes an overhead mark as good
as anyone – almost Fyfe-like,” Hannebery told the Swans website.
“Maybe a Selwood or a Judd [performed better], but he’s certainly had a ripping first year for someone who’s just come into the system.
“What it shows is that the academy system in Sydney is really strong and it helps you develop really good attributes when you’re coming through.
“He’s been outstanding for us this year.”
The praise from Hannebery followed Heeney’s four-goal, eight-mark and 20-disposal showing on Sunday, starring in the Swans’
97-point thrashing of St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
In his 11 games of an injury-hampered 2015, the Stockrington product has kicked 13 goals, which included a match-winning strike in the opening round.
Swans coach John Longmire said the former All Saints College student, who visited his old high school with Adam Goodes earlier this year, had exceeded expectations even after being Sydney’s No.1 draft pick.
“We knew he was a good mark, but we probably underestimated how good a mark he was, particularly at senior level,” Longmire said on the Swans’ website.
“He’s so clean above his head.
“When he’s out of position as a forward he brings the ball to ground.
“He’s very courageous and he’s a great competitor.
“He played all of his junior footy as a midfielder and he’ll play a lot of his footy for us as a midfielder, no doubt, but that option for us as a forward now has been important.”
The Rising Star nominee will feature in Saturday’s round 23 clash with Gold Coast at the SCG, which will determine whether or not last year’s grand finalists finish inside the top four.
In other Australian rules news, the Black Diamond AFL will hold its annual presentation night at Belmont 16 Footers Sailing Club on Wednesday.
Maitland Saints midfielder is the defending First Division best and fairest award winner and Terrigal Avoca midfielder James Webster will be aiming for an unprecedented third straight Elliott Davey Medal in the Black Diamond league.