1. Isaac Heeney is probably the best player going around right now
I have a 12 year old son who is a passionate AFL follower, and although we are hardcore Carlton fans, he takes great interest in the fortunes of all clubs. He often asks me who I think the best player in the AFL is, and until recently I’ve almost always put forward Nick Daicos without blinking. As good as Nick Daicos is, and is going to be, Isaac Heeney is playing at a level rarely seen. What’s added even more weight to the notion he’s the best right now is his incredible finals performances thus far.
Staring down the barrel of defeat and a much tougher road to premiership glory, it was Heeney’s blistering final term that got his team across the line against the Giants in the Qualifying Final. Friday night started brightly for Port Adelaide. They won the first few clearances and scored the opening goal. But once Heeney decided to to impose himself on the game, things changed dramatically, and by quarter time the Swans had kicked four of the next five goals. The Power never really threatened after that.
The Swans won by a comfortable 36 points as they cruised into their fifth Grand Final appearance under coach John Longmire. It was Sydney’s first win against the Power since 2016, and in that game a young Heeney kicked two goals from 25 touches. Similarly, this game saw Heeney kick two goals from 24 touches, but his influence in this game was on another level. We’ll probably see a few red-faced AFL officials on Monday night after Heeney tops the Brownlow count…
2. Ken Hinkley should be safe for one more year
Port Adelaide were able to narrowly avoid another straight sets embarrassment with a spirited win over Hawthorn. A loss there, and it could’ve been a completely different story. There’d be some who might be thinking that the Power under-achieved this year, I personally side with those who believe they may have actually exceeded expectations. If we’re being honest, most of us were quite surprised that they managed to finish second on the ladder. Last year they would’ve finished fourth with the number of wins they had. They also had a forward line that was riddled with injury or poor form.
Todd Marshall was rarely at 100%, while Charlie Dixon has struggled all year. They’ve got a pretty strong midfield and a back line that doesn’t really boast any big names but does the job. I think Ken is getting the best out of this list as it is right now. Perhaps their list should be the focus moving forward.
3. It was a 148 point turnaround from Round 21
So, the seemingly invincible Sydney finally had a slump late in the season losing five games in a six week period. Their first three losses to Fremantle, St Kilda and Brisbane were all by margins of two points or less, before the Bulldogs finally broken them open with a commanding 39 point win at the SCG. The following week was the low point of the season where the Swans travelled to Adelaide and suffered a 112-point thumping against Port Adelaide.
With their season on the brink of collapse, against the Magpies in Round 22, another defeat was looming, as the Pies lead by 27 points early in the final term. Up stepped the infamous Isaac Heeney for yet another match winning final term where he single-handedly helped his team to a season-saving three point win, and all of a sudden there season was revived and they haven’t looked back since.
The Swans were 13-1 after Round 15 and looked as though they were way ahead of the rest of the competition. You can understand the narrow losses they suffered. Perhaps even the 39 point loss could’ve also been put down as a bad night. But the 112 point loss defies any logic whatsoever. Pitt Adelaide had scored 71 points before Sydney had scored at all. Clearly they weren’t switched on that fateful night. It just goes to show how much the game is played above the shoulders. Whatever the case, the Swans seem to have shaken off that six weeks of poor form and are back to somewhere near their best. They’ve had five wins on the trot and are one win away from premiership glory.
4. Cam Rayner has extraordinary skills on both sides of the body
One of the biggest knocks I have heard in the modern day AFL player is the seemingly forgotten art of proficiency when it comes to kicking from the non-preferred foot. I have lamented players using the outside of their preferred foot instead, or trying to kick on their opposite foot and completely fluffing the attempt, or seeing them taking steps to get back on their preferred side and get tackled. This is even the case for some players that are considered to have elite ball skills, as they regularly kick poorly on their opposite foot.
One player who proved to me they have incredible kicking skills on both sides of the body is Cam Rayner. We’ve seen him drill passes and kick long majors with his right foot, but in the dying minutes and with the game in the balance in a Preliminary Final if you don’t mind, Rayner’s shot for goal from 55m on the left foot was nothing short of sublime. It was a low bullet-like kick that almost carried all the way to the line with pinpoint precision.
The last person I remember kicking like that was none other than the great Jason Akermanis. Like Akermanis, Rayner is loving the big stage and provided the spark to get his team back in the game and then that unbelievable sealer capped off what was an exceptional second half. All eyes might be on Heeney this Saturday, but Rayner may prove to be just as damaging.
5. Collingwood could sure use Ollie Henry now
This may well be a moot point considering there would’ve been very little the Collingwood Football Club could’ve done to keep him, as his mind was set on leaving and joining his brother at Geelong, but with his form and Collingwood’s apparent lack of genuine forwards, he would fit nicely back in that side right now. Perhaps the Pies have had the last laugh due to the fact that Henry’s move down the highway meant that he missed out on the 2023 premiership, and now here we are as Geelong are now out of this year’s race.
In just his 70th game, the 22 year old (you heard correctly – he’s still just 22 years of age) almost got his team over the line with two goals in the last quarter and four for the match. His fourth goal that actually put the Cats back in the lead by a point was a blinder. His kicking skills were on display and he is certainly strong overhead.
As Jeremy Cameron starts to begin wondering about life after footy, Ollie is ready to take over his role and is showing signs of becoming the dominant forward as early as next year. As they’ve proven time and again with their uncanny ability to recruit quality players, I’m sure the Geelong Football Club view his acquisition as a master stroke, and if he’s putting on performances like that in a final, then he’s worth every penny it took to land him.
6. Geelong’s aging list may be cause for concern*
The Cats definitely get more than a pass mark for their season. Many didn’t see them playing finals before the opening round so they’ve greatly exceeded expectations, but a lot has been said about the players on their list on the wrong side of 30, and it’s fair to say that some of those players might’ve had games they’d be disappointed with on Saturday.
Two players over 30 who have announced their retirements were not selected for this game. I’m speaking, of course, of Tom Hawkins and Zac Tuohy. They were both great servants of the club, but when push came to shove, they were deemed no longer in the team’s best 22.
Let’s talk about the over 30’s who did get selected, and the story it tells is worth consideration. Jeremy Cameron (31) had a bright start kicking two goals in the first half and looked set for a big game, although he finished with 2.3 for the match and looked like his movement was restricted by the end of the game. Overall he played well, but his influence lessened after half time. Patrick Dangerfield (34) had 24 touches and kicked a goal, but in the midfield battle he didn’t have the same influence as the likes of Neale and Dunkley. Rhys Stanley (33) won the hitout battle once McInerney went down but he only had 10 possessions for the game. Mark Blicavs (33) had a modest nine disposals. Jed Bews (33) also had just nine touches. Mitch Duncan (33) was the sub. Tom Stewart (31) did have a great game with 22 touches and five marks. He’s the pick of the bunch. Meanwhile, expect to hear some announcements in the coming days on the future of these players plus the ones not mentioned such as Gary Rohan and Cam Guthrie.
It’s fair to say none of this applies to the oldest player on the MCG on Saturday evening in Dayne Zorko. We’re all still waiting for him to show signs of aging but he did no such thing as the top possession getter on the ground with 32 touches.
7. It’s Sydney’s Grand Final to lose next week
Sydney must go into this game as hot favourites, and the Lions will be sweating on the shoulder injury to Oscar McInerney, as Chris Fagan has already stated it would take a miracle for him to play. Brisbane have had a harder road in while the Swans seemingly did it easy in their Preliminary Final and even had the opportunity to wrap a few players in cotton wool late in the game. With Isaac Heeney in scintillating form and with Errol Gulden also having a major influence each week, it’s hard to see how the Lions can counter the Sydney midfield. Logan McDonald is their only injury concern. If he plays, the Lions’ defence will have their hands full trying to keep him and Amartey quiet. The silver service delivery should result in them hitting the scoreboard and Amartey will have gained confidence from his game last Friday.
The Lions do have a formidable midfield of their own, and their ability to move the ball quickly really troubled the Cats. I suspect Callum Ah Chee will play forward on Saturday as he was incredibly dangerous in the Preliminary Final. Bailey, Cameron, Lohmann, and even Morris all hit the scoreboard on Saturday night, so Brisbane have countless scoring options even before you mention Hipwood and Daniher, but the Swans also have the likes of Papley, Heeney, Gulden, Warner, McLean and others just as likely to penetrate the Lions’ defence.
At some stage it’s fairly certain Sydney will have that purple patch where they might break the game open. And on the past fortnight alone it seems certain the Lions will hit back. That’s when you’ll need the likes of Cam Rayner to provide the spark, so if the Swans put the work into quelling his influence, that might just be enough to do it. James Jordon may have his hands full either way Lachie Neale, but I digress. The Swans by 27 points is my tip. And hopefully that’s as big as the margin will get. We all hate a one-sided Grand Final, and we’ve had our share in recent times.
*And yes, we know we’ve been saying that for about a decade. LOL
