Isaac Heeney adulation has risen to such heights that his photo on the scoreboard pregame was enough for a Sydney crowd roar that followed him though an imposing 36-point preliminary final victory over Port Adelaide.
But the biggest roar at the SCG on Friday night of the night came just before the siren with a close-up of Heeney on the bench clenching his teeth and raising his fist as the Swans were about to win their way through to the grand final.
The blond surfie superstar was a major player in the Swans making their fifth grand final under John Longmire’s coaching, ending with two goals and 24 possessions.
Heeney and all but one of his teammates will be searching for their first premiership, with Luke Parker the only survivor from the 2012 flag.
The Swans will meet the winner of Saturday’s preliminary final between Geelong and Brisbane at the MCG in the decider a week later.
It was a fitting way for Heeney to celebrate his 200th game, an impressive display of durability and sustainability from a 28-year-old in his prime. Many more games await.
There were 44,053 spectators packed into the SCG to do the roaring, taking the Swans past 500,000 fans in a season at the famous ground for the first time since they arrived in Sydney more than 40 years ago as a discarded South Melbourne.
This was Heeney’s second sublime finals performance in as many matches after he inspired the Swans’ dramatic come-from-behind victory against the GWS Giants during week one of the play-offs.
There was no repeat of his previous game's highlight against GWS, when he flew like Superman without the cape to haul in what may well be the best mark ever taken in a final.
But there was a decisive mark and goal in the second quarter which again reinforced that not only is Heeney one of the defining midfielders in the competition, he is also one of its most dangerous forwards.
Holding his own between Port Adelaide defenders as the Swans chipped into a crowded forward line, Heeney marked in the pocket despite zealous attention.
Lining up from near the boundary he faced the middle of the ground and casually dropped the ball on his left boot, curving it through the goals for yet another Heeney roar.
While not as stratospheric as his 30 possessions, five tackles and three goals from the opening week of the finals, Friday night was another gold-plated performance, even if he doesn’t get the chance to watch replays of himself impersonating Superman again.
