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Sport Nation
Buddy’s frank suggestion for Sydney
Ashley Browne • April 29th, 2025 2:05 pm
The Sydney Swans are teetering at 2-5 and in 14th place heading into Sunday’s derby clash with the GWS Giants at the SCG.
But in the eyes of former Sydney superstar Lance Franklin, moving Isaac Heeney to the forward line is a move the Swans can make to kickstart their season.
Franklin said that with prime mover Errol Gulden out of the side, opposition clubs are finding it easier to handle the Swans if they put the clamps on Heeney and Chad Warner through the midfield.
“We don't have any real key focal point that can demand the ball and get the ball kicked to him,” he said on the Buddy & Shane Podcast.
“Heeney is incredible; he's courageous. He takes a ball at the highest point, and he kicks goals. And I think at this stage, that's what the club needs.”
The Swans have a long injury list that includes key forwards Logan McDonald (ankle) and Joel Amartey (hamstring).
“They need someone up there that can mark the ball that's going to be a presence. And I think Heeney's the man for that,” Franklin continued.
“And that's the worry with the Swans. Heeney gets shut down, Warner gets shut down, you win the game.”
Franklin was asked by co-host Shane Crawford whether a loss to the Giants on Sunday would lead to a rethink, perhaps with a view to putting plans into place for 2026.
“Knowing the Swans and the Bloods culture, they'll want to win every game and get back to hopefully playing finals, which I hope they do.
“But it's going to be very interesting to see what happens because they've got some big games coming up and they need to win them to keep the season alive.”
The Swans and Giants clash at 1:10pm AEST at the SCG this Sunday.
