Sydney Swans forward Charlie Curnow has been recognized by teammate Isaac Heeney for his consistently strong form throughout the season, following a recent surge that has propelled him near the top of the Coleman Medal leaderboard. Curnow, 29, currently has 45 goals for the season, just one behind Gold Coast’s Ben King, after a particularly prolific five-game stretch in which he scored 22 goals, including six against the Western Bulldogs last Friday.

Heeney praised Curnow’s performance, highlighting not only his recent scoring spree but also his contributions earlier in the season that may have gone underappreciated. “He’s done a lot of work on his finishing, his marking and his one touch with the football,” Heeney said. “If he did that earlier in the year, he would have been playing this type of footy.” Heeney added that the forward’s impact goes beyond scoring, noting his high endurance and ability to link up effectively in the forward line. Despite some inconsistency against Sydney’s top-six opponents, Curnow has excelled against lower-ranked teams, kicking 13 goals against the Western Bulldogs and eight against Richmond.

Heeney also addressed criticism directed at players during form slumps, defending Curnow’s efforts and emphasizing the work he has put in to elevate his game. “I struggle with when the media have a go at people when they’re down in certain aspects. He’s been amazing,” Heeney said.

In discussing his own performance, Heeney acknowledged the ongoing debate over the AFL’s best player, placing Collingwood’s Nick Daicos and Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli ahead in the pecking order. The three-time All-Australian described Daicos as comfortably holding the top spot but said being acknowledged among the league’s elite adds to his confidence.

The Swans are focusing on improving their defensive structure and diversifying their game to prepare for the tougher contests expected in the finals. Heeney noted that the team has historically relied heavily on fast, forward handball plays but has recently worked to adapt to more contested styles. “We need to learn that,” he said, referring to breaking through defensive congestion and expanding their attacking options.

Sydney is set to travel to Perth for a Thursday night match against Fremantle. The trip will likely see the return of Tom Papley from a calf injury, as he resumed training on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Braeden Campbell is anticipated to play his first game of the season in the VFL after recovering from shin stress.