The Cardiff teenager’s wish is about to become a reality after he was awarded the Harrison Medal for the best and fairest player in the AFL Under-18 Division Two Championship this week.

He won the same award in the under 16s two years ago.

NSW/ACT went through the tournament undefeated after beating Northern Territory and Tasmania and then Queensland 8.10 (58) to 6.9 (45) in the deciding game at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old captained the Rams and led the way with 21 possessions against the Queenslanders.

The AFL-mad Melbourne media have already begun singing Heeney’s praises.

On Tuesday, the Herald Sun ran a report describing him as ‘‘the most gifted midfielder in this year’s pool’’ for the AFL draft in November.

The newspaper rated him sixth among draft prospects.

‘‘There’s been a little bit of talk around the draft, but I’ve just been kind of blocking it out until it happens,’’ Heeney said yesterday. ‘‘What happens, happens. I’d just like to get picked up by any side. I would be absolutely stoked.’’

Heeney has been part of the Swans academy since he was 12, giving Sydney the first option to secure his services in round one of the draft.

The Swans are almost certain to select him, but if they don’t, other AFL clubs could pick the former Black Diamond footballer.

‘‘I would like to get picked up by any clubs, absolutely anyone that wants to take me, but the Swans are local and they have an amazing culture there,’’ he said. ‘‘It would be great to go there.’’

Asked if he had received interest from AFL clubs, Heeney said: ‘‘A few clubs have come around and have had a good chat.

‘‘Nothing has been given away, though, so who knows.’’

If Heeney is selected in this year’s draft, he will become the first Hunter product to progress to the big league since Nelson Bay-bred Swans midfielder Craig Bird, who was the 59th pick in 2007.