Sydney Swans young gun Isaac Heeney has revealed the role rugby league played in establishing his tough, uncomprimising playing style.
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The 20-year-old grew up on a farm in Stockrington, a small NSW town between Newcastle and Cessnock, with rugby league a big part of the area's DNA.
Heeney's father Adam was a former first-grade rugby league player, who encouraged he and older brother Beau to take each other down in the backyard.
"We would play rugby league, throw the footy to each other and it was biggest hit wins," Heeney told AAP .
"We'd start with touch and end up pretty competitive trying to put a shot on each other.
"I think Beau made me cry more than I made him."
It was this backyard training that allowed the small-statured Heeney to make a huge tackle on Geelong big man Mark Blicavs during the preliminary final.
Heeney admitted playing AFL was frowned upon while he was at schools in the Newcastle area.
"Rugby league, being at schools in Newcastle, was massive," he said.
"If you didn't play it you got bullied a little bit - not that I got bullied much."
Heeney had arguably his best all-round game against Geelong, gathering a career-high 20 kicks, laying seven tackles and kicking a goal.
He is expected to continue playing in a midfield/wing role in Saturday's Grand Final against the Western Bulldogs.