YOUNG star Isaac Heeney believes "little things" cost the Sydney Swans in their nail-biting loss to Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

But Heeney echoed the sentiments of his coach John Longmire, who felt he would be splitting hairs if he was to criticise his side after one of the matches of the season to date.

The Swans and Crows traded the lead 13 times, and were evenly matched in virtually every statistic. 

Less than a goal separated the side 31 minutes into the final term, before Crow Eddie Betts sealed victory for the home side with a late major.

"It's a disappointing we didn't get over the line but I think the boys gave it a really good crack," Heeney said.

"There were times where maybe we went for the mark when we should have gone for the spoil, or late in the game we went out to the wing when we should have hit up the middle.

"There were just little things like that but credit to them, they're a good side and it's shown that in their past few performances."

WATCH: Heeney soars for big grab

Heeney had one of the best matches of his young career, finishing with 18 disposals and four goals, including two in the final term, which almost turned the game in the Swans' favour.

His final goal, a set shot 50m out tight on the boundary with two minutes to go, narrowed the margin to under a goal.

"Macca (Jarrad McVeigh) kicked it to me and once I marked it he said 'two minutes to go', so I thought 'gee I better hurry up', because we still needed two goals,'' Heeney said.

"I hit it sweetly and it got over the line by a couple of centimetres but credit to them, they got the next clearance."

The 19-year-old further enhanced his reputation as one of the best youngsters in the League with the performance and said consistency was a focus for the remainder of the year.

"Personally, I'll keep looking to fly for the footy and just be clean and keep trying to play my role," he said.