The 18-year-old Sydney Swans Academy product was widely tipped to be a first-round pick – an honour that hasn’t been afforded to a NSW/ACT player for more than a decade.

The feisty midfielder was chosen based on his performance in the Division Two NAB AFL Under-18 Championships last month.

Heeney and his 11 fellow NSW representatives will join 84 other players in Melbourne in October four for gruelling days of competition at Etihad Stadium.

They will be assessed on a range of key talent indicators, including sprinting speed, endurance, ball skills and decision-making.