- Isaac Heeney has achieved one of the biggest marks ever seen
- He was grateful to the GWS defender for helping him avoid injury.
- The 28-year-old shined against GWS with 30 kills.
Sydney match-winner Isaac Heeney admits he surprised himself with the athletic leap that enabled him to achieve one of the most spectacular marks in AFL history.
And he is grateful to GWS defender Jack Buckley for helping him avoid injury on the way down after his challenging run in the Swans’ thrilling qualifying final win.
Heeney capped an impressive individual display with what would have been a contender for record of the year were it not for a controversial league rule at a packed SCG.
Only scores and goals produced during the home-and-away season are eligible for the annual awards, which now include a $50,000 cash prize.
“I haven’t really taken one all year, but I felt good,” Heeney said after Saturday’s thrilling competition.
‘I went up there, a little perch.
“I’m grateful to Buckley. He grabbed me and turned me around, otherwise I would have ended up on my head.
I’ll message you later to thank you.
Isaac Heeney says he surprised himself with the athletic leap that allowed him to achieve one of the most spectacular marks in AFL history
Heeney jumped onto Buckley’s shoulders from behind his 193cm opponent during the third quarter.
“To be honest, I didn’t even expect to get there,” Heeney said.
“I sort of jumped towards him instinctively and sat there comfortably.”
The AFL announced the finalists for the 2024 Mark and Goal of the Year just two days before Heeney’s capture, adding fuel to the fire around eligibility rules.
A heated debate was sparked on Thursday night when Geelong superstar Jeremy Cameron kicked one of the best goals of the season from the line during the Cats’ qualifying final win over Port Adelaide.
Heeney was understandably more concerned about Sydney’s first ever finals win over GWS (after three previous losses to their arch rivals), which set the stage for a preliminary final on home soil.
The Swans are now in the right place to return to the grand final for the first time since 2022, as they chase their first flag in a dozen years.
It would have been a contender for record of the year if not for a controversial league rule.
Heeney said: “I jumped towards him instinctively and sat there nicely.”
They will host either Port Adelaide or Hawthorn, with the winner advancing to the season finale on September 28.
“There are some quality players (on the left) and it’s fun. I think we’ve timed our run well,” Heeney said.
“We left it quite late in the season, but we’re doing well now, which is good.”
Heeney was considered a Brownlow Medal contender at the start of the season but is ineligible for the game’s highest individual honour after being suspended for striking.
The 28-year-old shone against GWS with 30 disposals, seven clearances and three vital goals as the Swans erased a 27-point deficit to win by six.
“I pride myself on being a great competitor,” Heeney said.
‘I’ll put my head on it and be as tough as I can, as clean as I can and kick as hard as I can.
‘Sometimes it works out and it works, and I rely heavily on that.
‘Horse’ (coach John Longmire) has given me the license to really chase the ball and do what I do and have fun while doing it.’