New Sydney Swans recruit Isaac Heeney says he has settled in well and is thoroughly enjoying his time in red and white.
It’s been a big 12 months for the QBE Swans Academy product after balancing his time between school, club football, the Academy and AIS-AFL commitments while living with a host family in Sydney.
But his hard work paid off when he was drafted with the club’s first round pick last year and now he’s doing everything possible to make the most of his opportunity.
“Pre-season has been great, it’s super intense and real hard but spending some time with these boys has been great and I’m learning a lot and so have the other new boys who have come in, so it’s been really good,” Heeney said.
Heeney’s start to life as a Sydney Swan, however, got off to a bad start. A home cooked meal of chicken salad with a few of his new teammates resulted in a bout of illness which would rule him out of day one of pre-season.
“It was a bit different telling the coach on the first day but he had a bit of a giggle and got over it and just told me to get myself right for the next few weeks,” he said.
Isaac Heeney at training with Adam Goodes.
With that episode well and truly behind him, Heeney has been working hard on the track and his doing his best to learn off the likes of Jarrad McVeigh, Dan Hannebery, Adam Goodes and Luke Parker.
He was lucky enough to be handed two time premiership player Ryan O’Keefe’s number five guernsey and locker which was a dream come true for the 18-year-old.
“It’s a massive honour, he’s someone I’ve looked up to my whole life,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to play with him last year in the reserves and he’s an amazing bloke and an amazing player.”
Like all first year players, Heeney, who grew up in Newcastle, has moved into the club’s housing program where he’s living with teammates Toby Nankervis and Sean McLaren.
The trio had the benefit of knowing one another before joining the Swans after playing in opposing teams throughout the AFL Under-18 Championships.
They have formed a great friendship on and off the field and spend a lot of their time together at home or the local beach.
“It’s great living with Sean and Toby,” he said.
“Sean cooks a mean feast, he seems to know a lot about it, but Toby and I spend the next two hours trying to wash up every dish he uses.
“They’re great blokes and I’m pretty lucky to have those two in the house with me.”
The Newcastle product is enjoying his time in red and white.
Coming from a seaside town, Heeney is no stranger to the ocean and spends his time away from footy on the surfboard.
He’s certainly made the most of the hot Sydney summer and gets into the surf with a few of his teammates when he’s not at the club.
“I love my surfing, I get down there as much as I can which is a few afternoons a week,” he said.
“I’m not the greatest but I just give my best and love being out in the surf.
“It’s nice and relaxing and good for recovery as well.
“A few of the boys love a surf as well like Parker, Macca, Joey and Abe, we get out there a bit, so there’s a bit of bonding there outside of footy, it gets your mind off it a bit, it’s a bit of a release.”
Heeney enjoys getting to the beach for a surf with his teammates.
With training just resuming for the new year this week, Heeney will continue to put in the hard yards over summer and learn as much as he can from the club’s senior players.
While there’s still a long way to go until the first ball is kicked of the new season, he plans to work hard and see where it leads him.
“We’re nearly two months into the pre-season and it’s been intense and it’s been great,” Heeney said.
“My goal for the year is to hopefully crack the team as soon as possible and try and contribute the way Ryan O’Keefe did and hopefully secure a spot in the team.”
