CALLUM Mills has joined Isaac Heeney as the second poster boy for the Sydney Swans academy after earning the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for round 16.

Mills, the first top-10 draft pick taken from metropolitan Sydney, has fitted seamlessly into the Swans' back six in 2016, averaging 18 disposals from 14 games.

After plenty of championing from his Swans teammates, Mills has received his NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for another standout game against Geelong on Friday night. 

The defender identified the Swans' academy as the key reason in him choosing to play AFL rather than rugby union.

"The academy persuades you to play football and it gives you a pathway to play at the highest level," Mills, whose family members were avid rugby union followers, told AFL.com.au.

"That was the major factor for me."

Mills was a star of the Swans academy and worked closely with Paul Roos during his time as coach of the youth pathway program.

Melbourne, which not so coincidentally is coached by Roos, placed a bid on Mills with pick No.3 in the draft after the Demons considered him the best midfielder available in last year's pool.

"It gives you an insight of what it's like to be at an AFL club and it almost fast-tracks you and I'm really thankful to have been in the academy and it's definitely set me up this year," Mills said.

"I'm really glad I did go into the academy because it's been great, not just for me but every other Sydney-based player that has been in the academy."

Mills, who played his junior football for the North Shore Bombers, has worked closely with Dane Rampe and mentor Jarrad McVeigh, who the 19-year-old credits as major influences in his development this season.

Although he is 12 years Mills' senior, McVeigh trod a similar path to his young teammate, being a NSW graduate to the AFL as pick No.5 in the 2002 draft.

"Now, at the club, there's a lot more Sydney-based boys, which is a really good effort by our list management team and for football in Sydney in general," Mills said.

"That's helped with the academies and Jarrad McVeigh was before that but he's extremely hard working and you can see why he got to the spot he is today with his work ethic and how talented he is."

Swans coach John Longmire could not be prouder for the way Mills has adjusted and the role is playing in the team's defensive structure.

"Mills has had a great year and we couldn't ask any more of Callum Mills in terms of how he's played this year – he's been sensational," Longmire said.