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Rugby league star Tom Trbojevic had the attributes to play in any number of Australian rules positions according to fellow Swans Academy student Isaac Heeney.

Sydney AFL star Isaac Heeney reckons rugby league sensation Tom Trbojevic could have played in virtually any Australian rules position after watching him when they were both part of the Swans Academy.

Trbojevic opted to join his elder brother Jake at the Manly NRL club, with both men graduating to the NSW Blues Origin team.

Both played in last Sunday's win over Queensland in Perth with Tommy Turbo crossing for three tries.

"I love rugby league and him and his brother are super talents and you can see on the weekend that they produced some pretty good footy," Heeney said.

Under current rules, Sydney couldn't sign Trbojevic till the year he turned 18, by which time the Eagles had swooped on the talented teenager.

Heeney felt it was the sibling connection rather than the AFL's age restriction that may have been the major factor in Trbojevic's decision.

"His brother obviously playing NRL as well, I'm assuming that was the main drive behind why he went with the NRL instead of the AFL," Heeney said.

"I think the academy does an amazing job with grabbing that sort of talent and holding onto them really well and obviously there's going to be a couple that get away and he was one of those."

Asked if he would like to have had Trbojevic running out for the Swans alongside him Heeney said "100 per cent.

"He moves pretty well, what do they call him, Tommy Turbo, quick as well, it would be nice to have him.

"He's a tall, fit and strong looking unit, so maybe a half-forward even like Nick Blakey,

"Or a wing role or something like that. He's obviously a hard unit as well, so maybe inside, but probably anywhere, to be honest."

At 194cm Trbojevic is just one centimetre smaller than Blakey, but around 20 kilos heavier.

The 19-year-old Blakey has lived up to the high expectations of him, playing 12 of Sydney's 13 games in his first AFL season.

Playing primarily as a forward, Blakey has kicked 11 goals, including two in last weeks' win over Hawthorn, after which he received a Rising Star nomination.

"A super talent, he's so skilful for a big boy and extremely quick as well, and I think he's a bit like Tommy Turbo in the way that he covers the ground really well and composed for such a young fellow," Heeney said.