Swans midfielder Luke Parker has piqued the interest of AFL Fantasy and SuperCoach players by claiming that 2022 will be the season in which Isaac Heeney joins him in the middle more often.
While the notion of Heeney earning midfield minutes has been about since the now 25-year-old made his debut in 2015, a strong pre-season at the club's Moore Park base appears to be the key for these long-term plans to finally come to fruition.
Speaking to AFL Media, Parker - one of three club captains in 2022 - stressed that Heeney's frame and dynamism would stand him in good stead at stoppages.
"We know how dangerous he is up forward, and he can create that mismatch," Parker said.
"Coming into the midfield he has the big body to play on stronger guys, he's one of the best runners at our club and has a great aerobic capacity, and he's also powerful outside the contest.
"Also, you don't get mids that can take a pack mark like him.
"I think he's a hard match-up for another midfielder. Hopefully, he'll create a different look and match-up for us."
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With 148 goals from his 129 games across seven seasons in the Harbour City, there is little denying the Academy Selection's ability up forward.
But with Parker suggesting that these offensive arc duties will be split by spending time further afield, Bloods fans will be keen to see if the former first-round pick can have a similar influence in the middle.
The three-time Bob Skilton medallist also claimed that his former leadership group member, Josh Kennedy, would likely act in rotation with Heeney.
"It's about learning the little intricacies and building that synergy," Parker said of the potential partnership.
"He's constantly talking to myself, 'Joey' [Kennedy], he goes through vision, that's the only way to get that confidence in there, ask blokes that have that experience.
"We know the star he is but it's about learning those little things and being able to steer those younger boys in there as well."
While seeing will still be believing for the coaches - beyond John Longmire - who have selected Heeney in their sides for the start of the 2022 season, the Maitland-born midfield aspirant already holds transferrable tackling and clearance winning abilities.
Henney will be afforded another chance to stake his claim for minutes in the middle when Sydney faces North Melbourne during the AAMI Community Series next Sunday afternoon.