Sydney Swans forward Isaac Heeney spoke to media today ahead of Marn Grook at the SCG against Carlton on Friday night.
On the Swans match against Carlton:
It was obviously a much-needed win (last week), it’s been a good week and the boys have been positive. We are looking forward to a blockbuster game on Friday night against Carlton who are also looking for a win. It has obviously been a different season this year compared to last, but we are excited and good to go for tomorrow night.
We know Carlton at their best are a competitive side with some key players down forward and have an amazing midfield. We will need to play a good game on Friday night. We know they’re a good side and we are a similar position on the ladder, so it is a massive game.
On gaining momentum in the second half of the season:
Obviously, injuries are no excuse, but we have been hit hard with them and it’s taken a bit of a toll on the continuity throughout the team. We have tomorrow night in our sights, and we can go away and refresh and attack the rest of the season (after that). It’s obviously not the best start to the season, but I think we have the confidence and have the personnel and the game plan that we can go deep.
On Carlton’s tall forwards:
There will be some big moments for some big players on our team, but they will need the support from other players. They (McKay and Curnow) are massive when they get on a roll, and they can kick 10-12 goals between them so we need to make sure we can nullify their impact on the scoreboard. We have some players in at the moment that are playing some good footy down back so even though it’s not our regulars, they are going to be important tomorrow night.
On his own form:
I have been a bit up and down, obviously a bit different to last year where I felt I had a big impact and this year I’ve been struggling with form a little bit at times. I felt like the last few weeks I’ve had a bit more influence on the game, which is nice, it’s been a tough year but a really exciting year with a great bunch of blokes. I think for me it is working on the basics, strip it right back, don’t overthink it. I think a lot of players are the same, it’s about getting back to knowing what your strengths are and then doubling down on that. I think that’s what majority of players would do in my position.
Horse (John Longmire) gives me the confidence I need, depending on which role I want to play throughout each game, and he’s been amazing. It’s just a matter of not overthinking it and not listening to the outside noise.
Obviously at times you have lapses in form, and I hold myself to high standards and I want the external to hold me there as well. It’s obviously not ideal but I have the confidence that I’ll get back and play some good footy. It’s not through lack of effort, at times it’s your body battling different things or sometimes you are out of form, but I have the confidence I will bounce back, and I’ll be able to become one of those elite players of the competition again.
On teammate Chad Warner’s 50th game:
He’s amazing, he’s a super talent. He’s not the biggest of blokes but he’s got such strong power through his legs, he can break you apart as a midfielder that goes forward and kicks goals as well, he’s super important to us.
On Lance Franklin:
In my opinion he is the best player to play the game, I love playing with him. He had a massive influence on the weekend I felt, and he can play that each week. He gets the best defender every week so at times he is going to get shut down, but he’s used to that, and he can bounce back like he did.
