EMERGING star Isaac Heeney has surprised even his coach with the quality of his second season in the AFL.
Heeney kicked five goals in a brilliant performance in the Sydney Swans' 81-point win over Essendon at the SCG on Saturday, and was his side's only four-quarter contributor for the night.
The 20-year-old played 14 games in his debut season last year but his career-best haul helped the home side to a dominant win, if only in the second half.
John Longmire said post-match that although Heeney has kicked just nine goals from his first six games in 2016, the Swans have been rapt with his form after an interrupted pre-season with knee tendonitis.
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"We're actually happy with his season to date it's not just abut kicking the goals, he competes so hard," he said.
"He always launches at the ball and you know you're always going to get a full-on contest from him.
"He's played a bit more in the midfield this year at times this year and he's done really well at that too.
"He's played most of his season as a forward but when he goes into the middle he's a really handy rotation for that part of the ground as well.
GAMEBREAKER: Heeney steals the show
"He's very versatile and I think that’s where he's ahead of where I thought he'd be.
"His ability to mark and his hardness as a forward are areas he's improved the most."
Star forward Lance Franklin continued he stellar form against Essendon with six goals, including four in the second half when the Swans dominated the contest.
The triple Coleman medallist now has 29 goals for the season and has once again ignited his dynamic partnership with Heeney to give the Swans a dangerous forward set-up.
"They're smart players, they work well together and they obviously hit the scoreboard tonight which was good," Longmire said.
"Isaac (Heeney) was really good the whole game and was terrific for four quarters, and Lance (Franklin) just got better as the game went on."
TALKING POINTS: Sydney Swans v Essendon
The news wasn't all good for the Swans with midfielder Daniel Robinson not re-appearing after quarter-time after suffering a shoulder injury.
Longmire said the shoulder has popped out a couple of times and Robinson would need to get scans to determine the extent of his injury.
Co-captain Kieren Jack rolled his right ankle and veteran Ben McGlynn copped a nasty corked thigh, but both played out the match and should be right to face Richmond at the MCG next Saturday night.
