AFL superstar Isaac Heeney has been spotted in a Sydney inner-city pub, wearing a moon boot, as he joined his Swans teammates in drowning their sorrows following the grand final thrashing at the hands from Brisbane.
Heeney, 28, ventured to a bar in Chippendale to watch ‘Mad Monday’, no doubt still gutted by his team’s poor performance against the Lions at the MCG, where they lost by 60 points.
The likes of Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Corey Warner, Hayden McLean and Aaron Francis joined the midfielder for a few drinks, and the playing group were left reflecting on what might have been.
Questions have been asked about the Bloods’ big-game mentality after they were also thrashed in the 2022 decider against Geelong.
It comes after football commentator Kane Cornes refused to believe Heeney’s stress fracture ‘excuse’ following his woeful performance in the AFL grand final.
Heeney failed to deliver for the Swans as Brisbane defeated them in front of over 100,000 fans.
He walked off the field midway through the final quarter and Sydney coach John Longmire revealed after the game that his star has been battling a stress fracture in his ankle.
But Cornes debunked that claim, pointing to Heeney’s 11-touch performance in their 2022 loss to Geelong to suggest the midfielder doesn’t prepare well enough for big games.
AFL superstar Issac Heeney was spotted in a Sydney inner-city pub on Monday, wearing a moon boot (pictured)
Heeney’s tame performance in the AFL grand final against Brisbane at the MCG followed.
Swans players including Heeney (second from right) Brodie Grundy, (left) Taylor Adams, Hayden McLean, Aaron Francis, Corey Warner and Peter Ladhams drowned their sorrows after more final heartbreak.
Meanwhile, commentator Kane Cornes criticized the “excuse” for Isaac Heeney’s injury in the grand final.
Coach John Longmire claimed Heeney suffered a stress fracture during the big game.
“He was the best player in football coming into this game… he was walking on water in the qualifying final,” Cornes said.
‘In the preliminary final, Port Adelaide had no answers – he (Heeney) was a man possessed.
“Only to then show up and not give the performance when needed.”
Referring to the stress fracture excuse, Cornes said, “Yeah, well, there wasn’t any stress reaction in his shin in the preliminary final or the qualifying final, so don’t give me an injury excuse,” he continued. .
‘An 11-elimination performance in 2022 (grand final), Saturday (again) barely came close and had no influence. ‘I just don’t want the injury excuses.
“Isaac has to analyze his preparation in big games…mainly why he has failed again on the biggest stage.”
Before the grand final, Heeney had been widely tipped for the Brownlow Medal.
A suspension ruled him out of the competition, with Carlton star Patrick Cripps taking home the coveted individual honour.