Isaac Heeney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isaac Heeney |
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Heeney playing for Sydney in June 2017.
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| 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 | |||
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Isaac Heeney, born on May 5, 1996, is a talented professional Australian rules footballer. He plays for the Sydney Swans team in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is known for his amazing marks and goal-kicking skills.
Contents
Early Life and Sports Beginnings
Isaac Heeney grew up in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. His parents are Rochelle and Adam. He went to Black Hill Public School and then All Saints College, Maitland.
Heeney was a natural at many sports from a young age. At seven, he played soccer and scored an amazing 68 goals in just 12 games. He also played cricket, batting with a high average of 216. He even scored five tries in a rugby league grand final for his school team.
Heeney played junior Australian rules football for the Cardiff Hawks. He joined the Sydney Swans Academy when he was 12 years old. This academy helps young players develop their skills. For his final year of school, he moved to Sydney. He lived with a host family and played for the Swans' reserve team.
Heeney later shared that he was the only student at his school who played Australian rules football. He might have switched to rugby league if the Swans' academy had not existed. He always supported the Swans and looked up to player Ryan O'Keefe. Heeney also enjoys the National Rugby League and supports the Sydney Roosters club.
Isaac Heeney's AFL Career
The Sydney Swans picked Isaac Heeney 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 early in the draft. However, the Swans were able to keep him because of special rules. These rules were later changed to be fairer for all teams.
First Games and Rising Star
Heeney played his first AFL game for Sydney in 2015 against Essendon. He kicked the winning goal late in the game, helping the Swans come back from a big deficit. In Round 3, he kicked four goals and was nominated for the AFL Rising Star award. This award recognizes the best young players in the league.
Later in his first season, Heeney had a knee injury. He returned to play in Round 17 and made an immediate impact. He finished the season strongly, playing in the team's finals games. He was named the Sydney Swans' rising star for his great first year.
Key Moments and Injuries
Heeney had a very successful 2016 season, playing almost every game. He set a new personal record for disposals (getting the ball) in the first round. In Round 4, he kicked four important goals and was one of Sydney's best players. He had one of his best games in Round 7, kicking five goals and earning three Brownlow votes.
In the 2020 season, Heeney suffered a serious ankle injury. He dislocated and ruptured a ligament in his right ankle. He had surgery and needed stem cell treatment to help with healing. This injury kept him out for the rest of the season.
2024 Season Highlights
Heeney started the 2024 season incredibly well. Many people thought he might win the Brownlow Medal, which is given to the league's best player. However, he was suspended for some games, making him ineligible to win. Despite this, he still finished in equal fourth place for votes.
Amazing Mark in the Finals
In a 2024 qualifying final match, Heeney took an incredible high-flying mark. Many believed it was the Mark of the Year. However, players cannot win this award for marks taken in finals games. This rule caused some debate among fans and the media.
During this amazing mark, an opposing player, Jack Buckley, showed great sportsmanship. He held Heeney's hand to help him land safely. Heeney was falling head-first, and Buckley's quick action prevented a serious injury. Many people praised Buckley for his kind act, including Heeney's own mother.
Player Statistics
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 | ||
Honours and Achievements
Team
- Minor Premiership (Sydney): 2016, 2024
Individual
- All-Australian team: 2022
- 2× 22under22 team: 2017, 2018
- AFL Mark of the Year: 2018
- AFLPA Best First Year Player: 2015
- AFLCA Best Young Player: 2016
- AFL Rising Star nominee: 2015 (round 3)
