AFL superstar Isaac Heeney has been spotted at an inner-city Sydney pub – in a moon boot – as he joined his Swans teammates to drown their sorrows after their grand final thrashing by Brisbane.
Heeney, 28, ventured to a Chippendale watering hole for ‘Mad Monday’, no doubt still devastated after his team’s poor performance against the Lions at the MCG, where they lost by 60 points.
The likes of Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Corey Warner, Hayden McLean and Aaron Francis joined the midfielder for a few drinks as the playing group left to reflect on what could have happened.
Questions have been asked about the Bloods’ big game mentality after they were also defeated in the 2022 decider against Geelong.
It comes after outspoken footy commentator Kane Cornes refused to believe Heeney’s ‘excuse’ was for a stress fracture after his dismal performance in the AFL grand final.
Heeney failed to perform for the Swans as they were defeated by Brisbane in front of more than 100,000 fans.
He came off the field midway through the final quarter and Sydney coach John Longmire revealed after the match that his star man was struggling with a stress fracture to his ankle.
But Cornes has debunked that claim, pointing to Heeney’s 11-touch performance in their defeat to Geelong in 2022 to suggest the midfielder is not preparing well enough for the big games.
AFL superstar Issac Heeney was spotted at an inner-city pub in Sydney on Monday – in a moon boot (pictured)
It followed Heeney’s tame performance in the AFL grand final against Brisbane at the MCG
Swans players including Heeney (second from right) Brodie Grundy, (left) Taylor Adams, Hayden McLean, Aaron Francis, Corey Warner and Peter Ladhams drowned their sorrows after more great heartache in the final
Meanwhile, commentator Kane Cornes has dismissed Isaac Heeney’s grand final injury ‘excuse’
Coach John Longmire claimed Heeney suffered a stress fracture during the big game
“He was the most popular player in football coming into this match. He walked on water in the qualifying final,” Cornes said.
“In the preliminary final, Port Adelaide had no answers – him [Heeney] was a man possessed.
“Only to show up and not give the performance when it mattered.”
Referring to the stress fracture excuse, Cornes said: “Yes, there was no stress response in his tibia in the prelim final or qualifying final, so don’t give me an injury excuse,” he continued.
‘A removal performance of 11 in 2022 [grand final]on Saturday [again] he barely came close and had no influence. ‘I just don’t want any excuses for injuries.
‘Isaac needs to look at his preparation for the big games… especially why he has failed again on the biggest stage.’
Before the grand final, Heeney had been widely tipped for the Brownlow Medal.
A suspension ruled him out of contention, with Carlton star Patrick Cripps taking home the coveted individual honours.