Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has lauded the work ethic of Isaac Heeney after the star forward signed a six-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least the end of 2028.
Longmire has been at the helm of the Bloods since Heeney was drafted at pick number five of the 2014 AFL Draft. From the moment the 25-year-old stepped foot into the club, Longmire knew he had something special.
Heeney's willingness to learn and improve are qualities that have stood out for his entire career to date, and Longmire says his elite preparation and desire to get the best out of himself has a profound influence on the playing group.
"He trains at a really high standard and sets himself really strongly. Whether it's in the gym or on the training track, he trains at a high level all the time which is wonderful for the younger players to see," Longmire said.
"He also has great relationships with the younger players and his one-on-one discussions with them make them really look up to him.
"Along with his high training standards, that means he has a really important role to play.
"We're really thrilled to have Isaac onboard for a considerable amount of time now and he can really help drive the younger group of players that are really important to this footy club's future.
Solidifying himself as one of the game's electric forwards over the past few seasons, with 148 goals from his 129 appearances and a 2018 Mark of the Year award, Heeney has thrived throughout the 2022 pre-season with more minutes in the midfield.
Once a Swan, always a Swan!@IHeeney has signed a six-year contract extension keeping him at the club until the end of the 2028 season.#Bloods
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) March 2, 2022
Longmire also praised his versatility and ability to have an impact wherever he plays - another quality that he says comes down to hard work and his instinctive nature.
"Wherever he is on the ground, he makes a really strong contribution to our team," he said.
"I've been really fortunate to know Isaac all the way (since Academy days) and he's one of the players that I'm lucky to coach.
"From the moment he came in to our team, it was clear he had great work ethic and great instincts, and sometimes those players can be over-coached.
"We let him go a bit, particularly early, just to let him go and find his feet as an AFL player."
