‘Saved his life’: Brilliant act in superstar Swan’s magical mark leaves mum saying thanks

GWS Giants defender Jake Buckley has received worldwide praise after Isaac Heeney took one of the greatest marks ever seen on him on Saturday.

In the third quarter Heeney launched himself off the turf of the SCG and high into the Sydney sky.

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His right knee landed on the shoulder of Buckley which only helped launched him higher as he hauled in the outrageous mark.

But Buckley’s quick thinking after Heeney had claimed the mark helped avoid a serious injury for the Swans star.

As Heeney fell towards the turf, Buckley grabbed his right hand as he pulled him and ultimately helped him avoid falling straight onto his neck.

“I’m lucky he grabbed my arm – I thought I was coming down on my head,” Heeney said on Fox Footy after the game.

“He actually apologised to me after and made sure I was all right which is nice from him.

“Good bloke Buckley is, but I nearly ended up on my head.”

Heeney wasn’t alone in heaping praise on the Giants defender with the Swans star’s mum also thanking Buckley for his quick thinking move.

“As his mum I would love to give Jack (sic) Buckley a hug and thank him for Isaac not landing on his head!” she wrote on 7AFL’s Facebook page.

Buckley’s instincts however weren’t just limited to Australian footy fans with the moment going viral in America.

A highlight of the moment was posted to Reddit’s official sports forum as countless people threw praise on Buckley.

One commenter wrote: “Great awareness from the other guy to help him rotate onto his back.”

A second added in response: “I think that is almost a greater feat than the catch itself. What fast thinking.”

Another posted: “Defender saved that guy’s life there. Good sportsman.”

A fourth wrote: “The reactions of the guy in black are almost more impressive. Saved him from a possible serious spinal cord injury.”

Unfortunately for Heeney his out of this world mark won’t receive any awards with the AFL’s Goal and Mark of the year awards only recognised during the home-and-away season.

CODE Sports’ Daniel Cherny pointed out the irony of the decision.

“The Alex Jesaulenko Medal for mark of the year is named after someone who took his most iconic mark in a grand final, yet finals marks aren’t eligible for the award. Same principle with Phil Manassa Medal for goal of the year. Figure that one out,” he tweeted.

Blues legend Jesaulenko’s mark in the 1970 Grand Final was recognised as the mark of the century, while Magpies legend Manassa booted his famous goal in the 1977 decider.

Channel 7 and Triple M commentator Kate McCarthy posted: “There is no reason why Goal of the Year and Mark of the Year cannot be in Finals. Jezza & Heeney robbed.”

Writer Paul James commented: “That is why Goal and Mark of the Year shouldn’t be decided til the end of the season. Cameron on Thursday and Heeney just now.”

The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph wrote: “Love that the AFL finally have handed out legitimate prizes for mark and goal of the year. Now the next step is allowing finals contenders to be eligible when there is 50k on the line. Heeney and Jezza Cameron deserve to be judged.”

Pies supporter Cameron MacDonald even said Heeney should be there are the expense of Hill’s grab.

“Collingwood supporter here – Heeney is mark of the year, beating Bobby Hill. Change the rules. Daicos kicked Ridiculous goals and is approaching the convo for best in the comp, but he shouldn’t have a nom in GOTY,” he wrote.

Another fan posted: “Heeney making a mockery of Mark of the Year AND Goal of the Year nomination rules out there today!”

The winner of the goal of the year receives $50,000 with NAB donating another $10,000 to the winning players’ junior footy club.

The mark of the year winner gets $50,000, as well as two million Velocity Frequent Flyer Points, enough for two Business Class tickets for an overseas trip.