Sydney Swans forwards coach Steve Johnson has praised the flying start Tom McCartin has enjoyed to his AFL career.

Of the 32 players selected ahead of the promising teenager at the 2017 AFL Draft, only 11 have run out for more senior games.

And that’s despite the fact McCartin was the youngest player drafted in 2017.

If born just two days later, the towering forward would have again donned Geelong Falcons colours instead of red and white in 2018.

But he was swept up by the Swans via their second-round selection in November 2017 and has since blossomed on the big stage, featuring in 34 games and playing pivotal roles as a forward and defender.

Johnson is impressed with McCartin’s first two seasons as a Swan.

“Tom has played a lot of footy in his first two years so we’re extremely happy with what he’s been able to do and how he’s developing,” Johnson told SwansTV.

“In his last game of footy he kicked three goals in the farewell match for the retirees and he’ll take a lot of confidence out of that. 

“We’ll look for him to have another strong pre-season leading into next year.

“He’d be feeling really comfortable at the level now and excited about his future at the club.”

As Sydney cruised to a 45-point victory over St Kilda in Round 23, McCartin snared three goals from 11 touches and collected eight marks (four contested).

The 19-year-old was an imposing force inside 50, leading with gusto, showcasing his strong overhead ability and kicking accurately in front of goal.

He was shifted to defence late in the fourth term so retiring club hero Kieren Jack could swing forward in search of a feel-good major.

That was a seamless switch as coach John Longmire had used McCartin as a key defender on a number of occasions throughout the season. 

Whether he's moulded as a forward or defender in the long term, he’ll be surrounded by plenty of other youngsters on his rise, with names like Will Hayward, Nick Blakey, Colin O’Riordan and Lewis Melican all building encouraging careers of their own.