First-year recruit Isaac Heeney underlined the Swans’ 30-point win in Saturday’s NEAFL clash against Brisbane.

Seven days after a humiliating loss at the hands of UWS Giants, the Swans bounced back in a big way to defeat the Lions in chilly and windy conditions at Coorparoo’s Griffin Park.

With some much-needed experience back in the side and marking 2013 rookie Lloyd Perris’ first game in more than 12 months, the visitors dictated terms from the first bounce and were rarely troubled in the 13.5 (83) to 8.5 (53) victory.

Heeney, who returned from injury last weekend on managed game time, broke free of the shackles to collect 29 disposals, five marks and lay eight tackles in a workman-like performance in the midfield.

Heeney’s touch was a class above and looked to be fully over a knee injury which, suffered in the Swans’ Round 6 AFL clash with Melbourne, forced him to miss almost two months of football.

Craig Bird and Brandon Jack, who are pushing for senior recalls, gathered 26 and 24 possessions respectively while first-year George Hewett (26) also starred in what was the Swans’ eighth win of the season.

Toby Nankervis, who is another the senior coaching staff will look at during the week, dominated the ruck taps alongside Sean McLaren (65 to the Lions’ 43) and chipped in with two goals.

Jack, Nic Newman and James Rose also booted two goals apiece while the scoreboard was ticked along by Academy recruits Nathan Cooper, Lachlan Behagg and Eli Prescott.

The Swans sit fourth on the NEAFL ladder, one game clear of Sydney Uni, with a curtain-raiser against Redland at ANZ Stadium awaiting on Saturday.

 

Brisbane: 8.5-53
Sydney: 13.5-83

Goal Kickers: B. Jack 2, N. Cooper 2, N. Newman 2, J. Rose 2, E. Prescott , L. Behagg , C. Bird , T. Nankervis , S. McLaren
Best Players: B. Jack , T. Nankervis , I. Heeney , C. Bird , G. Hewett , N. Newman