Isaac Heeney says he “can’t wait” to continue his AFL career at the Sydney Swans after the midfielder again won the club’s best-and-fairest award on Thursday night.
When Heeney’s name was called out for his third Bob Skilton Medal, the reception was loud and many of the 500 people at the event gave him a standing ovation.
Then, in a two-minute pre-recorded video, the 30-year-old voiced his determination to resurrect his playing career after serving a club-imposed suspension throughout finals.
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Swans vice-captain Heeney had requested to skip the club’s Thursday night function at Sydney Town Hall alongside teammates Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice.
The five were stood down from August to the end of the Swans’ finals campaign for breaching club standards following a post-AFL match party at the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne.
Detectives in early September travelled to NSW to interview a 30-year-old Maroubra man, a 25-year-old Paddington man and two Randwick men aged 25 and 26.
It is understood the men interviewed were Heeney, Warner, Jordon and Blakey.
No charges have been laid. AAP is not suggesting any wrongdoing on the part of the suspended players.
All five players are contracted for next year, with Heeney signed until the end of 2028.
In the pre-recorded video, Heeney offered an apology to teammates and colleagues at the club.
“When I was told about this honour, it was the first time I’ve smiled and felt positive about the future for a long time,” Heeney said.
“While I was unable to attend the awards, I look forward to seeing you all again in person very soon.
“I want to say to everyone, in particular my teammates, the Swans players of the AFLW and the staff, from the depths of my heart, I’m truly sorry for putting you through the extreme difficulty you’ve had to endure.
“Every single day I was away from the club was heartbreaking … I want my actions moving forward to show how much this place and its people mean to me.
“I’m incredibly excited about what this group can do. I can’t wait to get back and train with the boys, get better and attack next year together.”
Callum Mills accepted the honour on Heeney’s behalf at the awards night, describing it as “unprecedented times”.
In a 15-minute opening speech, Swans chairman Andrew Pridham said the group “strenuously denied” the sexual assault allegations and highlighted the five players’ right to the presumption of innocence.
This comment was met with applause, with one fan yelling, “Absolutely!”.
“And all of us in this room have made mistakes at times in our lives,” Pridham said.
“As we said at the time, this decision (the suspensions) reflected only on their breach of club standards and behaviour.
“At no time have we made any judgement on the allegations made to the police. This is a separate matter.
“And as we know, the players have strenuously denied the allegations … Likewise, the players involved will respect and continue to apply the basic right of presumption of innocence.”
