More centre bounces attendances are in the sights of Sydney gun Isaac Heeney, with the mercurial Swan hoping to have increased exposure in the midfield this year.

Heeney has balanced his time between attack and midfield across the course of his 129-game career with the Bloods, giving coach John Longmire some much-needed versatility among the forward third of the field.

The 25-year-old's 2021 campaign was tilted further toward time as a forward, which saw him boot a career-high 36 goals for the season, however his clearance numbers were at their lowest since his debut season in 2015.

With the Swans eyeing another finals finish this year, Heeney is looking to gain further midfield minutes and take on a larger role in Longmire's onballer ensemble.

"Maybe a bit more midfield time would be good this year," Heeney told Swans Media.

JACK GUNSTON
Forward
Hawthorn
2021 SEASON AVG
7
Disposals
1
Clearances
1
Games Played

"Then I can get in & amongst it, then obviously slide forward & try & have an impact on the scoreboard too.

"Wherever Horse (John Longmire) wants to play me, but I think that would be nice."

The Swans have looked to best define Heeney's role throughout the pre-season, something that was planned shortly after their finals exit to rivals Greater Western Sydney.

Speaking in October, Longmire flagged Heeney and the club are searching for the right balance to best utilise their star utility.

"Isaac at the back end of this year was able to play midfield and then push forward and still hit the scoreboard. That'll be an important part of his plan over the summer, to prepare to play that midfield-forward role even more," Longmire said

"We were hoping that as this year progressed we could get Isaac's training loads right to allow him to do that. Now we'll work on that balance over the pre-season because he can be really damaging, which he showed in the last four or five games this year."

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 11: Isaac Heeney of the Swans kicks during the round four AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Melbourne Demons at Sydney Cricket Ground on April 11, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

With the loss of George Hewett in the off-season, greater midfield opportunities are on offer to the likes of Heeney and a plethora of emerging Swans youngsters ahead of a crucial season of their development.

For Heeney, 2021 also firms as a contract campaign, with the Cardiff product yet to recommit to the club past the end of the year.

The Swans and Heeney are understood to have opened contract discussions ahead of the season, looking to lure their prized asset away from the temptation of free agency.