He is also the first New South Wales-born player to win the Ron Evans Medal, which he received in a presentation at Crown Palladium on Tuesday.

Western Bulldogs midfielder Caleb Daniel finished second after a season that saw him line up in all but two matches.

Mills was drafted at No. 3 last year after Melbourne initially placed a bid for him at that position.

After the Swans matched the selection, the Demons selected Clayton Oliver.

With the Swans finishing on top of the ladder, the 19-year-old could become just the second player to win a premiership in his rising star year, joining Geelong captain Joel Selwood (2007) on that list.

Mills has slotted seamlessly in to the Swans defence, and his hardness and reliability have impressed football observers.

Recruited from North Shore, he is the third Swan to win the award after Dan Hannebery (2010) and Adam Goodes (1999).

Mills missed the final game of the season with a corked calf but is expected to face Greater Western Sydney in the Swans' qualifying final on Saturday afternoon at ANZ Stadium