ISAAC Heeney didn't take long to decide he would leave his family farm in Newcastle and move closer to the Sydney Swans last year when the club floated the idea.  

 

The midfielder, who is a member of the Swans' zone academy, knew it would benefit his football. He would be up against better players more often, and get more chances to show his skills.

AFL career no Stretch for Billy

 

It would push him into a new school (Waverley College), experience new things, and meet new people. Since he's been there, he has noticed a lot of changes, one in particular.

 

"Just constantly being around people rather than animals," Heeney told AFL.com.au.

 

Football has already taken the 17-year-old to many places, including London this week as part of the AIS-AFL Academy's tour of Europe for a training camp.

 

And, a few months into the shift to Sydney, Heeney has moved in with a host family in South Coogee and is pleased with his decision. The Swans, who get priority access to Heeney, are also happy.   

 

"It was purely my decision. Obviously [the Swans] encouraged it, but I felt the only way I was going to improve my football and be a possibility to get drafted to any club is to make a move to a better quality of football," he said.

 

"I thought I had to do it as I come from a rugby dominated city. It was hard moving away from the family and parents but I feel I've adapted well and I'm enjoying it."

 

Academy players fall under the same rules as father-son prospects: the club they are tied to can nominate them, but they have to pay market price for the player if another side bids.

 

At this stage, most recruiters see Heeney as one of the standout members of the AIS-AFL Academy group, with many believing he would be worth the Swans' first draft selection.

 

He runs hard and has worked on his speed, and he is clean at the contest, pushing through traffic, keeping his feet and distributing the ball well.

 

Throughout the year the Swans will get a close look at him, too. He'll play in the NSW/ACT Rams' TAC Cup team, before featuring in its under-18 state championships side.

 

After that, he's likely to finish the second half of the year in the Swans' NEAFL side, where he played in round one and fitted in well.

 

"I've had a few chats with the Swans…they're liking the way I'm going about my footy at the moment so hopefully I can continue to please them," he said.

 

Being around the Swans has given Heeney a bigger impression of what being a footballer is like.

 

In January he spent two weeks training with the club's senior side, watched Ryan O'Keefe prepare for games, saw Jarrad McVeigh never miss a target, and asked Adam Goodes what was the most important thing to succeed.

 

"He said earn the respect off the players you're playing with and then go from there. Things like become a leader, be willing to learn," Heeney said.

 

"It just makes you want it even more."