Isaac Heeney played a starring role up forward as Sydney tuned up for its season-opener with a 31-point win over North Melbourne in the AAMI Community Series.

WITH the ink still drying on the monster six-year contract extension Isaac Heeney signed on Wednesday, the Sydney star produced a dominant display on Sunday to put the finishing touches on a memorable week and on the pre-season ahead of round one. 

The 25-year-old kicked four goals and collected 17 disposals to lead John Longmire's men to a 31-point win over North Melbourne in the AAMI Community Series at Giants Stadium. 

At the other end of the ground, 2014 No.1 pick Paddy McCartin backed up his impressive effort in Albury last week to put his hand up for his first AFL game since round 16, 2018. 

The former Saint has well and truly exceeded expectations since Sydney added the 25-year-old to its rookie list during the pre-season supplemental selection period at the end of January and now looks set to restart a career that looked over due to repeated concussion issues that ended his time at St Kilda.

Young gun Justin McInerney cut the Kangaroos to shreds through the middle of the ground, while Ollie Florent, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner and James Rowbottom all produced strong efforts ahead of the opening game of the season against crosstown rivals Greater Western Sydney. 

06:10

Match Highlights: Sydney v North Melbourne, AAMI Community Series

See all the highlights from Sydney's 31-point victory over North Melbourne in the 2022 AAMI Community Series clash

New faces

There might be two McCartins playing in defence for the Swans in round one. Tom McCartin has emerged as a star of the future in the past year or two, but his older brother Paddy is a strong chance to return to AFL level, albeit down back after being taken at pick No.1 as a key forward. Lachlan McAndrew and Matt Roberts both came off the bench late in the game for the Swans for a taste of senior football.

Round one chances

Logan McDonald produced a couple of eye-catching moments and finished with two majors – and should have added two more in the fourth quarter – as he looks to add to the seven games he played in his debut season. 

Medical room

The Swans chose to manage the workload and rest superstar forward Lance Franklin ahead of round one, where he could become the sixth player to kick 1000 goals. Tom Papley won't play in round one and will miss the early weeks of the season after straining his hamstring in Albury. Peter Ladhams played in the reserves against Greater Western Sydney earlier in the day to ensure he got a full game, rather than sharing the ruck with Tom Hickey. 

  • 01:41

    McLean post-match interview - AAMI Community Series

    We spoke with Hayden McLean after the young forward kicked two goals in the Swans 31-point victory over North Melbourne.

    AFL
  • 05:26

    Post Match Press Conference: Dean Cox, AAMI Community Series

    Sydney assistant coach Dean Cox speaks after the AAMI Community Series clash with the Kangaroos

    AFL
  • 06:10

    Match Highlights: Sydney v North Melbourne, AAMI Community Series

    See all the highlights from Sydney's 31-point victory over North Melbourne in the 2022 AAMI Community Series clash

    AFL
  • 00:36

    Gulden launches one from 60m for a major

    Swans young gun Errol Gulden launches an absolute monster kick from distance and gets it to roll through

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Heeney adds another to highlight reel

    Swans star Isaac Heeney unleashes a bomb from outside 50 and lands his second goal of the game

    AFL

SYDNEY               2.2   5.6   9.7   12.10 (67)
NORTH MELBOURNE      1.1           3.3   5.6      7.9 (51) 

GOALS
Sydney: Heeney 4, McDonald 2, McLean 2, Florent, Gulden, Hickey, McInerney
North Melbourne: Horne-Francis 2, Larkey 2, Goldstein, Greenwood, Lazzaro

BEST
Sydney: Heeney, McInerney, Blakey, Florent, Stephens, Warner
North Melbourne: Davies-Uniacke, Polec, Xerri, McDonald, Greenwood 

INJURIES
Sydney: Nil
North Melbourne: Walker (teeth)

AFL 2022 AAMI Community Series - Sydney v North Melbourne

AFL 2022 AAMI Community Series - Sydney v North Melbourne
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