Christmas has arrived early for Sydney Swans supporters with young gun Isaac Heeney agreeing to terms on a new five-year contract extension.
The 20-year-old, who had a year to run on his existing contract, will now remain in red and white until at least the end of the 2022 season.
The blond-haired Newcastle product burst onto the scene in 2015 after coming through the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.
Heeney kicked the match-sealing goal in his debut game against Essendon in Round 1 last year and went on to finish the year with 14 matches to his name and the Club’s Rising Star Award.
The Swans’ No. 5 followed that up with an impressive 2016 campaign that saw him play 24 matches, finish third in the inaugural Gary Ayres Award for the best finals performer and claim the AFL Coaches Association’s Best Young Player of the Year Award.
Swans Head of Football Tom Harley says he’s excited that Heeney’s future is with Sydney.
“We’re rapt that Isaac has agreed to terms on a new five-year contract extension and has committed to the Club for the long-term,” Harley said.
“Isaac is clearly a talented player who has played some high-quality football so early in his career.
“Born and bred in the rugby league-dominated city of Newcastle, Isaac developed his game through the QBE Sydney Swans Academy. Alongside our other Academy players, he sets a great example for kids in New South Wales that they too can follow his pathway and play AFL at the elite level.
“We’re really excited about what the future holds for Isaac and look forward to him plying his trade in red and white for many years to come.”
Heeney joins a host of teammates to commit to the Club in 2016, with new skipper Josh Kennedy as well as Kieren Jack, Nick Smith, Luke Parker, Gary Rohan, Jeremy Laidler, Harry Cunningham, Dan Robinson, George Hewett, Aliir Aliir, Jake Lloyd, Tom Papley, Nic Newman, Alex Johnson, Dean Towers, Harrison Marsh and Jordan Foote all putting pen to paper.
Isaac Heeney stats
DOB: May 5, 1996
Draft history: Pick 18, 2014 National Draft
AFL Debut: Round 1, 2015 v Essendon
Games: 38
Goals: 44
AFLCA Best Young Player 2016
Swans Rising Star Award 2015
Guernsey No. 5
Swans player No. 1393
