Maitland-raised Isaac Heeney made a strong start to the AFL season but was overshadowed by young rookie Tom Papley and the Buddy Franklin show in Sydney’s 80-point demolition of Collingwood.
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Papley, who joined Heeney on a pre-season school visit to Maitland and the Hunter, kicked three goals on debut as Sydney scored 18.25 (133) to Collinwood’s 7.11 (53)
Heeney had four shots on goal, but mananged only one major. But his relentless tackling pressure and pin-point delivery to teammates showed he is ready to pick up from his stunning debut season and has overcome a niggling knee injury.
The biggest news on the night apart from Franklin’s four-goal haul, was a broken leg and ankle to star Magpies midfielder Dane Swan and the shadow cast over Collingwood’s performance by media revelations 11 of their players had allegedly tested positive to recreational drug use in the off-season.
Meanwhile, the GWS Giants lost by two points in a thriller to Melbourne at the MCG.
