Yep, I singled out Heeney too. It's why I like him playing wing, as he can be around the contest, but his capacity to power up and burst away is his real asset. He's far quicker than people realise, but he is above all a brutal surge runner and it doesn't matter whether it's over 5m or 80m - I'd hate to be the opponent on his tail. That, and the fact he's an excellent kick on both feet with a fraction of room (and, as you say, he makes tackles stick).
As an example of his surge running, check this out (go to about 11.20) - and I mentioned it the other day. When him and LDU, who is seriously quick, are on the wing together, LDU is bang on him, and on the correct side. By the time he takes the mark, Heeney has put 10m on him and LDU is broken. I know he doesn't start in the contest here and is playing essentially as a forward in this play, but it's just phenomenal and he does it from contests and stoppages too.
The Round So Far
I don't necessarily disagree on JPK. What I have noticed, and what lends credence to the medi sub concept, is he seems to be drifting more into the middle later in games. His big body crashing into tired opponents and ripping the ball away, can be lethal. But of course, you can't play medi sub every week.
I guess my main worry is he and the decision on him are in no man's land for now. He is a player of immense calibre and standing, and the way we're playing him does neither him or the team much justice.
Bookmarks