Earmarked by many as a future Sydney captain, Isaac Heeney is predicting a bright future for the AFL club following a season of regeneration.
Heeney, who will play his 100th game on Saturday against Port Adelaide, was promoted to the leadership group this year.
It has coincided with a season of struggle for the field on the club, with the Swans beset by injury to key players and set to miss the finals for the first time since 2009.
But Heeney sees a big upside for the Swans in the opportunities coach John Longmire has given to the club’s promising youngsters, with 20-year-old speedster James Bell set to become the fifth debutant this year.
“It has been challenging throughout the year but I’ve absolutely loved it,” said Heeney, who acknowledged he’d “absolutely love to one day, possibly, captain the club.”
“We’ve got such a young team, even though I’m still young myself, it’s really being a role model for them.
“I just love being around the club and being a mentor for these younger fellows.
“A few more games under the younger boys’ belts and we’ll have a really good pre-season and we’ll be really good in the next few years.”
With Lance Franklin and Dan Menzel missing much of the season, and Will Hayward also injured, Heeney has played more minutes up forward than in midfield.
He would like to flip that around after this season but chuckled at the suggestion midfielders rest when they get moved up forward.
“I actually find it harder on the half forward than in the midfield, you seem to be doing more unrewarded running, but it’s definitely not a rest,” said Heeney.
Heeney was not too sure how he would fill September without and football to play.
“It’s a bit unknown territory, I might get away from everything to be honest, get away from the city, get away from footy and just refresh,” he said.