Sydney Swans coach John Longmire believes results like Saturday night's defeat to Adelaide offer "money-can't-buy experiences" for the likes of Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills.

Both youngsters were shining lights in the nail-biting 10-point loss at Adelaide Oval.

Heeney starred up forward, collecting 18 disposals and kicking four goals including the Swans' last which kept them in touch in the final few minutes of the match.

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Mills, in only his fourth game of AFL football, took a number of courageous marks and looked as composed across half-back as anyone on the field.

The two QBE Sydney Swans Academy products showed class beyond their years.

In a fierce contest which featured 14 lead changes and with a boisterous home crowd against them, Longmire praised his young guns' level heads believing they'll be better players for experiencing 120 minutes of such high intensity football.

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"The good things about Mills and Heeney and playing in big game likes that, it's money-can't-buy experiences for them," Longmire said.

"In front of a big crowd, in a big game and with high pressure stakes, they stood up and played very well."

After winning the Club's Rising Star Award, Heeney is primed for another big season following a performance widely rated as his best since his selection in the 2014 National Draft.

Starting up the ground, Heeney then moved forward to finished with four marks and equal his career-best goal tally.

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"He'll be a good midfielder but he's such a good mark," Longmire added.

"He'll be out of position by a far way, then make an 20-80 ball into a 50-50 contest. He competes for the ball so well and is so clean.

"He played a number of good games last year but this was a very clean performance."

Longmire's men will now regroup for another big clash, this time against West Coast at the SCG.