Swans midfielder Isaac Heeney addressed the media ahead of training at the SCG on Tuesday.

Sydney is set for a clash with the North Melbourne Kangaroos at the SCG on Saturday.

Here are some key quotes from the press conference.

Spirits among the group after the win over Geelong

“The squad is feeling really good. It was a great win on the weekend to dig deep and they threw a lot at us and we had to respond in the fourth quarter and we did. That’s exciting and it’s given us a lot of confidence. Anyone needs a win no matter who you’re playing but against a quality side like Geelong was extremely important. We know they’re going to be premierships contenders this year and for us to dig deep and get the win was enormous.”

Where the win ranks

“To go down there against such a hostile crowd and such an amazing team it does rank up there with one of my favourite wins. You can see the excitement on the boys’ faces and it shows that it was a great win.”

Standing up in absence of Lance Franklin

“The smaller forward line is giving us other options to explore kicking goals. Without Buddy and Reid, the two talls, we need us little fellas to create a contest and bring the ball to ground and go to work. You look at the younger fellas like Robbie Fox, Oliver Florent and Ben Ronke and they all kicked a couple of goals each. The win over Geelong shows sometimes we don’t need him and we can kick goals other ways. The younger fellas are standing up and it shows the depth in our team and for those boys to kick goals is very important.”

Franklin’s progress with a bruised heel

“Buddy is going really well. He’s training at the moment and his spirits are always high and he gets the boys up and about." 

Mark of the Week nominations: Isaac Heeney and Robbie Fox

“Jeremy Howe is obviously a freak. He takes one every week. For us to get nominated is out of the blue and Foxy’s is probably better than mine but I’ll try and claim it.”

Captain Josh Kennedy’s return to form

“Quality players respond and he is definitely a quality player. He is such a consistent player and he was always going to respond and respond in the way that ultimately got us the win. He drove us other players to help him along the way which was very important.”

Saturday’s even spread of contributors

“You can’t even just look at the midfield. You look at our defenders, our forwards – everyone on the day played their role. It’s not doing anything special – it’s getting out there and playing your role. Having those leaders like Kennedy, Parker and Sinclair really perform just drives the rest of us and it’s just layer after layer."

Gary Rohan ahead of 100^th game

“Gary is someone who’s been through everything – everything you can imagine. For someone to come through that and perform like he has been shows his character. He is an unbelievable person off the field and a superstar on the field as well. He is crucial to our team and we are so glad to have him. Anywhere from his speed, to his goal-kicking, to his pressure game is top-notch and when he’s up and running he’s one of the best in the comp and can tear the game apart. Looking at it in that aspect it’s something I can drive towards and try and tweak my game in those little ways.”

How Heeney feels now compared to at this time in 2017

“I feel 10 times better than I did last year with glandular fever. Mentally it hit me not being able to do anything. Four or five weeks of sitting in bed and physically not doing anything really frustrated me. Obviously it’s been a much better start this year personally and as a team. Things are really exciting at the moment.”

Heeney balancing midfield and forward duties

“Whatever role John Longmire gives me for the game I enjoy and I just love being out on the park. Whether that’s in the midfield or up forward I’ll take my opportunities and try and kick some goals or win some footy and win some hard balls.”

Returning to the SCG against North Melbourne on Saturday

“It’s amazing to be home. It’s always good to get back here and Parker calls it the ‘little colosseum’. It’s good to be here and in front of a home crowd and hopefully we can bring it from the get-go because we know North Melbourne are a great side.”

AFL curtain-raiser

“The NEAFL boys get pumped up and it’s good for us to come in and have something to watch and support the other fellas that are trying to push for a senior spot.”