Isaac Heeney children’s book promotion disappears from publisher’s Instagram grid after Sydney Swans scandal

Promotion for Isaac Heeney’s children’s book series has disappeared from Allen & Unwin’s Instagram grid following the scandal engulfing the Sydney Swans.

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Kimberley Braddish
The Nightly
Sydney Swans have stood down five players - Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner - for all remaining games including finals after a breach of club standards.

Promotion for Isaac Heeney’s children’s book series has disappeared from Allen & Unwin’s Instagram grid amid a sexual assault investigation engulfing the Sydney Swans.

Heeney’s Little Isaac Footy Fever series was released on August 4, and had been promoted by the publisher, with posts about the books appearing on its social media channels.

But following the latest developments involving Heeney and four of his Sydney Swans teammates, promotion for the books appears to have been removed from Allen & Unwin’s main Instagram grid.

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The promotional material remains available in the publisher’s Reels tab, however comments have been switched off on the video promoting the series.

The move comes after the Swans suspended Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice for the remainder of the AFL season.

The club has stressed the suspensions are separate to a sexual assault investigation being conducted by Victoria Police, with the five players assisting police with enquiries.

This masthead is not suggesting Heeney or any of the other players have been found guilty of any wrongdoing.

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Heeney’s book series, Little Isaac Footy Fever, was released earlier this year and follows a young version of the Swans star through football-themed adventures.

The 29-year-old had been actively promoting the books, including appearing at Dymocks to sign copies in recent weeks, with that video still on Heeney’s Instagram grid.

Promotion for Isaac Heeney’s children’s book series has disappeared from Allen & Unwin’s Instagram grid following the scandal engulfing the Sydney Swans.
Promotion for Isaac Heeney’s children’s book series has disappeared from Allen & Unwin’s Instagram grid following the scandal engulfing the Sydney Swans. Credit: Instagram/Isaacheeney

Seven weeks ago, Heeney posted an image of himself holding two of his book’s and captioned the photo “LITTLE ISAAC 📚”.“Super excited to share my new kids book series. First Bounce and Game On are out on 4 August and available to pre-order now via the link in my bio. You’ll also see a sneak peek at what’s coming in November,” he said.

It is unclear what was planned for November or whether the upcoming promotion remains scheduled.

It is not known whether the changes to Allen & Unwin’s social media activity are connected to the current scandal.

The Nightly has contacted Allen & Unwin for comment.

Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham said on Wednesday the players were “extremely remorseful for their actions” and had breached the club’s standards.

Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich said the club was “deeply embarrassed and ashamed at the poor choices” made by the five players.

He said the behaviour involved in their decision to suspend five players included staying out late, drinking, continuing their night and bringing women back to the team’s hotel.

“It was staying out late, it was drinking, it was continuing their night, it was bringing women back to the hotel.

“It was a long way short of what we expect of our players,” he said.

“We’re holding them to a really high standard, but they were well short of anywhere near that standard.”

Pridham said the club’s decision to suspend the players for the rest of the season was a “very significant sanction” and effectively “torpedoed our season”.

The five players will still be permitted to attend the football club while serving their bans.

Isaac Heeney and Steffianie Waters announced their engagement on social media in October, 2025.
Isaac Heeney and Steffianie Waters announced their engagement on social media in October, 2025. Credit: Instagram @isaacheeney

Comments have also been disabled across recent Instagram posts on Heeney’s account and that of his fiancée, Steffianie Waters, amid the fallout.

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Swans ‘deeply ashamed’ as club suspends five players amid sex assault investigation.