RISING STAR nominee Isaac Heeney is the talk of the footy world just three games into his career with the Sydney Swans, and the 18 year-old says the fact that he's an AFL player still hasn't sunk in yet.
The Newcastle junior who came through the Swans' academy system, has stepped into senior football with ease, but says his teammates deserve the credit for helping him adjust to the big time.
Heeney won this week's rising star nomination thanks to a four-goal haul in the Sydney derby against Greater Western Sydney, and his combination with Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett in the Swans' forward line has been seamless.
The youngster says that while playing alongside such stars was daunting, he's been given the green light to play his natural game.
"Its pretty surreal playing with the likes of Buddy and Tippo, I just play every game as it comes and kicking a few goals is a bonus," Heeney told AFL.com.au.
"They've put their trust in me to know the game plan, and they encourage me to fly for my marks and crash in hard no matter where they are.
"From the weekend it showed that hopefully we can have a good bond up there."
Heeney told AFL.com.au that he's already exceeded his goals for 2015 but isn't about to reassess just yet.
There's no doubt he's destined for the star-studded Swans' midfield at some stage, but when that is doesn't play on his mind.
"Coming to a club like this I wasn't expecting to play a game this year, I was just expecting to soak in as much as I can, and hopefully get a game or two," Heeney said.
"I'm happy to sit in the team wherever I am - just to be in the team is incredible.
"I'd like to go through the midfield at some stage, but if not, it doesn't bother me."
A trip to Perth awaits Heeney for game number four against Fremantle in the game of the round, with both sides undefeated so far in 2015.
While impressed by the Dockers, who dominated West Coast in the Western derby on Sunday, Heeney believes the Swans can, and will, match it with the home side on Saturday night.
"Fremantle were very, very strong throughout the majority of the game on the weekend and we'll be extremely strong as well, so we'll be putting in our best performance and it's going to be an absolute cracker.
"It’s a bit of a trek. I've never been to WA, and had never been to Adelaide until the other week, so its been pretty good travelling around a little bit."
Sydney's inclement weather forced the Swans out of the wet on Tuesday, coach John Longmire putting his men through their paces at the SCG indoor cricket nets while storms swept the city.
With dry conditions expected in Perth for the weekend, the Swans will be happy to head west to escape the east coast chill.
Isaac Heeney says teammates make him look good
Rising star nominee says Swans teammates make him look good