Isaac Heeney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isaac Heeney |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Heeney playing for Sydney in June 2017.
|
|||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Isaac Heeney | ||
| Nickname(s) | Heens | ||
| Date of birth | 5 May 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Maitland, New South Wales | ||
| Original team | Cardiff (BDAFL)/Sydney Swans (NEAFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 18, 2014 national draft | ||
| Position(s) | Forward / midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Sydney | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Career highlights | |||
|
|||
Isaac Heeney (born on May 5, 1996) is a professional Australian rules football player. He plays for the Sydney Swans team in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Contents
Isaac Heeney's Early Life and Sports Journey
Isaac Heeney was born in Maitland, New South Wales. He grew up in the Hunter Region with his parents, Rochelle and Adam. Isaac went to Black Hill Public School and then All Saints College, Maitland.
Isaac's Amazing Sports Skills
When he was 7, Isaac started playing soccer. He was incredibly good, scoring 68 goals in just 12 games! Soon after, he tried cricket. He played with older kids and had a batting average of 216. Isaac also played rugby league. His school team won a big tournament in Sydney, and he scored 5 tries in the final game.
Joining the Sydney Swans Academy
Isaac played junior Australian rules football for the Cardiff Hawks. He was a very talented young player. When he was 12, he joined the Sydney Swans' Academy. This academy helps young players develop their skills.
For his final year of school, Isaac moved to Sydney. He lived with a host family in South Coogee. He played for the Swans' reserve team in the NEAFL. Isaac later shared that he was the only student at his school who played Australian rules football. He said he might have played rugby league instead if the Swans' academy hadn't existed. He grew up cheering for the Swans and looked up to player Ryan O'Keefe. Isaac also loves the National Rugby League and supports the Sydney Roosters team.
Isaac Heeney's AFL Career Highlights
Isaac Heeney was chosen by the Swans in the 2014 AFL draft. His selection was a big topic of discussion at the time. Another team, the Melbourne Football Club, wanted him very much. But the Swans were able to pick him because of the rules back then. This led to changes in how players are chosen in the draft.
Making His Debut and First Goal
Isaac played his first AFL game for Sydney in Round 1 of the 2015 AFL season. It was against Essendon at ANZ Stadium. He kicked his very first AFL goal late in the last quarter. This goal was the winning one, helping the Swans come back from 41 points down to win by 12 points!
After kicking 4 goals in Round 3, Isaac was nominated for the AFL Rising Star award. This award celebrates the best young players. He had a great start to his first season. However, he got a knee injury in Round 6. He returned to the team in Round 17 and made an immediate impact. Isaac played for the rest of the season, including the team's finals games. He was named the Sydney Swans' rising star for that year.
Strong Performances in 2016
Isaac had a very successful 2016 AFL season. He played almost every game. In the first round, he set a new personal record with 23 disposals (times he got the ball). In Round 4, he had a standout game, kicking 4 important goals. He was named one of Sydney's best players. Isaac had one of his best games ever in Round 7, scoring 5 goals. He even received 3 Brownlow votes for his amazing performance.
Injury and Recovery in 2020
In Round 6 of the 2020 AFL season, Isaac suffered a serious ankle injury. He dislocated and tore a ligament in his right ankle during a game against Richmond. He had surgery soon after and had to wear a moon boot for several weeks. He also received special treatment to help his cartilage heal.
Isaac's 2024 Season Achievements
Isaac had a fantastic start to the 2024 season. Many people thought he might win the Brownlow medal, which is a big award for the best player. However, he was suspended for a game, which made him ineligible to win. Even so, he finished in equal fourth place for the medal votes.
His Amazing Mark in the Qualifying Final
In the 2024 qualifying final against GWS, Isaac took an incredible mark (a catch). Many people thought it was the Mark of the Year. He jumped high over a player named Jack Buckley. Even though he couldn't win the official award because it was in a finals match, everyone was talking about it.
What was even more special was Jack Buckley's sportsmanship. As Isaac was falling head-first, Jack held his hand to make sure he landed safely. This prevented a serious injury. Many people praised Jack for his quick thinking, including Isaac's own mother, who thanked Jack on Facebook.
Isaac Heeney's Career Statistics
Statistics are updated to the end of the 2022 season.
| G | Goals | B | Behinds | K | Kicks | H | Handballs | D | Disposals | M | Marks | T | Tackles |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | Votes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | |||||
| 2015 | Sydney | 5 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 120 | 57 | 177 | 67 | 44 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 8.6 | 4.1 | 12.6 | 4.8 | 3.1 | 2 |
| 2016 | Sydney | 5 | 24 | 28 | 15 | 218 | 180 | 398 | 113 | 92 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 16.6 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 5 |
| 2017 | Sydney | 5 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 250 | 161 | 411 | 100 | 95 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 12.5 | 8.1 | 20.6 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4 |
| 2018 | Sydney | 5 | 22 | 19 | 14 | 248 | 200 | 448 | 99 | 111 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 11.3 | 9.1 | 20.4 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 7 |
| 2019 | Sydney | 5 | 22 | 26 | 15 | 237 | 204 | 441 | 126 | 85 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 10.8 | 9.3 | 20.6 | 5.7 | 3.9 | 6 |
| 2020 | Sydney | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 53 | 33 | 86 | 29 | 15 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 8.8 | 5.5 | 14.3 | 4.8 | 2.5 | 5 |
| 2021 | Sydney | 5 | 21 | 36 | 21 | 222 | 111 | 333 | 119 | 41 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 10.5 | 5.2 | 15.8 | 5.6 | 1.9 | 8 |
| 2022 | Sydney | 5 | 25 | 49 | 28 | 251 | 159 | 410 | 117 | 118 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 10.0 | 6.4 | 16.4 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 7 |
| 2023 | Sydney | 5 | 23 | 30 | 19 | 214 | 143 | 357 | 110 | 99 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 9.3 | 6.2 | 15.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 2 |
| 2024 | Sydney | 5 | 24 | 34 | 20 | 328 | 274 | 602 | 108 | 113 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 13.7 | 11.4 | 25.1 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 28 |
| Career | 201 | 261 | 162 | 2141 | 1522 | 3663 | 988 | 813 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 10.7 | 7.6 | 18.2 | 4.9 | 4.0 | 74 | ||
Isaac Heeney's Honours and Achievements
Isaac Heeney has achieved many great things in his AFL career.
Team Awards
Individual Awards
- Bob Skilton Medal: 2024 (This is the Sydney Swans' best and fairest award!)
- All-Australian team: 2022, 2024 (Chosen as one of the best players in the league)
- 2× 22under22 team: 2017, 2018 (Recognizes top young players)
- AFL Mark of the Year: 2018 (For the best catch of the season)
- AFLPA Best First Year Player: 2015
- AFLCA Best Young Player: 2016
- AFL Rising Star nominee: 2015 (Round 3)
- 3x Goodes-O'Loughlin Medal: 2018, 2021, 2025
