Let’s talk about Isaac

[Thunder Shaker]

Here is an interview with Harley Reid where he mentions the "hanger" that Heeney took on him, showing how Reid respects Heeney. The in-game sledge that Harley Reid couldn't ignore, and why he rejected Vic rivals' millions (afl.com.au)

[imuninformedtwo]

If he's the Norm Smith in a premiership he'd join Joey at least.

Joey should have one too, but for the cheating umpires gifting them the game.

[MattW]

So, worth dropping back into this thread now and then to chart what's happening. The opposition was what it was, but among the 32 possies and 5 goals (which is genuinely an off the chart game), he also had a team high seven tackles. His ability to the hard stuff is what often gets missed about him.

It'll be fascinating to see where he's ranked as a Swan when he finishes. I started watching them in about 93, and roughly have three tiers of those I've watched (recognising earlier players, particularly Skilton, have their own claims):

The Big 4: Kelly, Plugger, Goodes and Buddy
On his own: JPK
The next batch: Micky O, Jude and Craig Bolton, ROK, Hanners, McVeigh, Leo Barry, Luke Parker, a couple of others.

Right now, Heeney has probably joined that third tier. Not sure he gets to the top tier, but if he leads us to somewhere special, does he join JPK? We will see.

If he's the Norm Smith in a premiership he'd join Joey at least.

[imuninformedtwo]

So, worth dropping back into this thread now and then to chart what's happening. The opposition was what it was, but among the 32 possies and 5 goals (which is genuinely an off the chart game), he also had a team high seven tackles. His ability to the hard stuff is what often gets missed about him.

It'll be fascinating to see where he's ranked as a Swan when he finishes. I started watching them in about 93, and roughly have three tiers of those I've watched (recognising earlier players, particularly Skilton, have their own claims):

The Big 4: Kelly, Plugger, Goodes and Buddy
On his own: JPK
The next batch: Micky O, Jude and Craig Bolton, ROK, Hanners, McVeigh, Leo Barry, Luke Parker, a couple of others.

Right now, Heeney has probably joined that third tier. Not sure he gets to the top tier, but if he leads us to somewhere special, does he join JPK? We will see.

[dejavoodoo44]

I was thinking the other day about this thread I started under my old handle before I lost access to it in the great RWO crash of 2024, so glad someone upped it.

The bit in there that probably still sticks with me most is the reference to what his game standing Cripps suggested. He wasn’t tagging, just playing on and whooped him. It said he had the talents to play full time mid. Probably what I missed was his ability to still sustain high end scoring power.

Even when he got tagged on the weekend his ability to just go do dirty work was remarkable. For a ‘quiet game’, he still had 28 possies, 16 contested, 7 clearances and 5 tackles. Unreal.

You have to wonder what sort of career he’d have had if his body allowed. For all the crap Horse cops for playing him too much forward, and some of it is justified, there were also about three seasons where due to his ankle he basically didnt train. He simply wouldn’t have been able to run through the midfield.

Anyway, he’s simply a joy to watch and fingers crossed, he remains in rude health for a few years yet.

That "quiet game", sounds like the sort of performance that would of got Cripps three Brownlow votes in 2024.

[imuninformedtwo]

I was thinking the other day about this thread I started under my old handle before I lost access to it in the great RWO crash of 2024, so glad someone upped it.

The bit in there that probably still sticks with me most is the reference to what his game standing Cripps suggested. He wasn’t tagging, just playing on and whooped him. It said he had the talents to play full time mid. Probably what I missed was his ability to still sustain high end scoring power.

Even when he got tagged on the weekend his ability to just go do dirty work was remarkable. For a ‘quiet game’, he still had 28 possies, 16 contested, 7 clearances and 5 tackles. Unreal.

You have to wonder what sort of career he’d have had if his body allowed. For all the crap Horse cops for playing him too much forward, and some of it is justified, there were also about three seasons where due to his ankle he basically didnt train. He simply wouldn’t have been able to run through the midfield.

Anyway, he’s simply a joy to watch and fingers crossed, he remains in rude health for a few years yet.

[KSAS]

I think pound for pound Heeney is the best player in the comp, particularly over the last 3 years where he has exploded to new and consistent heights we all knew he had in him.

It took a while for various reasons, but now he's heading fast into one of the all time great Swans bracket. He already is in my books since i've been following the Swans from the 1960's. Such a unique and graceful player. Adam Goodes was also in this category.

Hope we win a flag with him.
We have been truly blessed with great players at this club.

[lwjoyner]

I agrree with best in league now, but u would not know it with the ever selling press opions on Nick u know, tht pie

[Nico]

Genuine star. He got tagged against GWS and still had 28 possessions. At stoppages he always seems to be in the right spot. His 2 way running is elite.

[Tommy_Wolfe7]

Best in the league right now. Perfect footballer for the modern game.

[Nico]

From what we saw of Sheldrick this year I think he may be a genuine Gun. I just hope with what now looks like a stacked midfield that they play the ones who are in form.

[Captain]

Yes all will definitely play next year. In saying that, some have to come out as can only have 22 players.

I see Sheldrick as having massive upside and feel he needs to be played.

[chalbilto]

I would be happy if Rowbottom, Adams and Sheldrick all play at various times. Sheldrick showed very promising signs last season and I believe he will develop further. Rowbottom and Adams have shown their capabilities and I am looking forward to them playing next year.

[Captain]

It'd be odd for him to be squeezed out in order to bring in an experenced player with a mature body to help our young mids - because he's the most physically mature and experienced of our young mids, and least in need of that sort of support.
Still stranger things have heppened.
It'd also look odd squeezing out the Bedford medalist from the last two years, so I hope it doesn't happen.

One of the things I admired with the Geelong 2022 team's midfield, was how many players could take a turn in there. And not just the runners. They also had several viable ruck options on the ground. I'd like to see us emulate that.

Fair call. The reason I pondered the question is he doesn’t seem the type who plays anywhere other than midfield. Throwing in Adams (who we are told has been promised midfield) and Sheldrick just makes it a bit more cloudy. Assume most are happy for Rowbottom to play ahead of Sheldrick?

[chalbilto]

Heeney, Warner and Mills is my preferred starting midfield. Errol and J Mac on the wings.

Obviously Mills might miss a bit so would have Parker replace him.

Then rotate Adams, Papley, Sheldrick, Rowbottom through.

If we get Adams and also have Sheldrick back, is there a place for Rowbottom?

Allways.