Sydney Swans defender Ted Richards has paid credit to Rising Star nominee Isaac Heeney for the way he has started his career at AFL level.

Heeney has played a role in the forward line since making his debut in the season opener against Essendon averaging 12 disposals and booting five goals for the season so far.

The 18-year-old product of the Swans QBE Academy was nominated for the Rising Star award following a four goal haul against Greater Western Sydney in Round 3.

Richards said Heeney’s persistence to make it at AFL level despite coming from a rugby league dominated town deserved acknowledgment.

 “Full credit to Isaac because he has been in the news a lot as the face of our Academy program over the last few months,” Richards said.

“Isaac’s story is great, he grew up in the suburbs on the outskirts of Newcastle and he was the only kid in his high school that played AFL footy.”

“He used to get bagged a lot playing AFL footy because it is such a rugby league part of the world. Despite all of that he has applied himself to AFL and really been driven.”

Heeney was substituted out of Saturday night’s loss to Fremantle at half time – the knock to his ankle is not expected to sideline him.

The youngster is the Swans’ fourth Rising Star nominee since 2013 following in the footsteps of teammates Jake Lloyd, Harry Cunningham and Tom Mitchell.