Young South Australian Will Hayward is excited about what lies ahead as he relocates to Sydney to chase his AFL dream.

The 18-year-old from North Adelaide was taken with the Swans second selection (pick 21) in Friday night’s National Draft.

An exciting half forward with good pace and a strong goal sense Hayward joined the Swans for his first day on Monday.

“I am absolutely over the moon to join a club with so much history and so many great people around it,” Hayward said.

“I can’t wait to get stuck into it.

“I am so pumped to be able to meet all my new teammates, earn their respect and get stuck into training.”

Hayward knows he has to take it one step at a time and is not putting too high an expectation on what he can achieve in his first season at the club.

“I am a high half forward who can play as a third tall,” he said.

“I like to use my jump and speed to my advantage and create a third option to be able to put some forward pressure on.”

Recruiting and List Strategy Manager Kinnear Beatson said the determination of Hayward to make it onto an AFL list would hold him in good stead.

"Will came on really well late in the year, and his finals series for North Adelaide in the under 18's was quite spectacular as a medium forward,” Beatson said.

“We challenged him in an interview during the year about his endurance and we were pleased to hear that as soon as he left he'd organised a personal trainer.

“It told us how much he wanted to be drafted."