Maitland-born Isaac Heeney will take on extra responsibility for the Sydney Swans in 2019 as the 22-year-old moves within reach of 100 games in just his fifth AFL campaign.
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The Cardiff Hawks product has been elevated to the club's leadership group for this season, which kicks off against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
Heeney joins Callum Sinclair and Tom Papley as new members of the eight-man panel, which is headed by Swans co-captains Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dane Rampe.
Veteran pair Jarrad McVeigh and Nick Smith round out the contingent.
Heeney said mixed feelings of pride and pressure come with the new territory.
"I have a role in the leadership group, which means a bit of pressure to perform but hopefully I can help out some of the younger guys," Heeney said..
"Earning the respect of the lads and driving the standards of the club is important. So it's definitely something I'm really proud of and gives me excitement."
Heeney, raised in Stockrington and now based at Maroubra, said he's filled with "confidence" after experiencing his first full pre-season since being drafted in 2014 and debuting in the senior ranks the following campaign.
An ankle injury suffered in last weekend's 42-point JLT Community Series victory over the Gold Coast Suns at Lismore has since been cleared.
"It's not a major sprain so we expect him [Heeney] to train this week and be ready for round one," head of football Charlie Gardiner told Swans media last week.
Heeney, who has 80 AFL games next to his name including the 2016 grand final, could reach the century milestone during this year.
"If I play the majority of this season I might hit the hundred, which is exciting," he said.
Jake Lloyd is the quickest to make the mark in Swans history and equal-third competition-wide, taking four years and 22 days.
Heeney, who claimed AFL mark of the year in 2018, expects to play similar positions of "40 percent midfield and 60 percent forward".