It was a night of career-bests for Isaac Heeney.

Heeney provided a genuine focal point against Essendon on Saturday night with the newly turned 20-year-old booting five goals in a starring role alongside fellow forward Lance Franklin.

Together, the duo piled on 11 goals to help the Sydney Swans cruise to their best start to a season (6-1) since 1998.

Heeney’s previous best was four goals, achieved three times in his brief but already sparkling career.

“They came off pretty sweetly,” Heeney said post-match of his five-goal haul.

Four of Heeney’s goals came from set-shots, three were the result of contested marks deep in the Swans’ forward line.

They contributed to nine marks overall, another career-high in Heeney’s highlight reel.

GAME BREAKER: Heeney steals the show

His 11 contested possessions also equalled his best in that column.

Heeney’s aerial prowess is just one of many strengths which makes the second-year talent one of the best young players in the game and a key cog in the Sydney Swans’ impressive forward set-up.

“This year we’ve performed pretty well down forward,” Heeney said post-match.

“The goals, the pressure, converting has all been good and there’s some real synergy down there.

“With the younger guys coming through, including myself, there’s good signs.”

Tom Papley provided another spark with two goals against the Bombers while the experience of Kurt Tippett (two goals, two goal assists) and Ben McGlynn (one goal, two assists) was also telling.