Fisher is the only player out of the nation's capital to find a new home during the draft period, with fellow Canberra prospect Jordan Harper overlooked.

The Greater Western Sydney Giants nominated Fisher as an academy player leading into the national draft, meaning he was eligible to join the club's category B rookie list.

But after being overlooked by the Giants, Fisher was scooped up by the 2016 grand finalists as a New South Wales/ACT zone selection.

The Canberra product played 11 games in the NEAFL this year, splitting his commitments between the Canberra Demons and the Giants reserves, where he claimed a premiership medal.

As the Swans looked to etch their name onto the NEAFL premiership trophy in September it was Fisher that stood in their way — the new recruit was in the Giants' grand final-winning forward line.

But now the Ainslie and Marist College junior will look to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, a former Geelong Cats player, into the top flight — only Fisher will look to do it as a Swan.

Fisher's work ethic has not gone unnoticed by his new club, with Swans manager of recruiting and list strategy Kinnear Beatson pleased to secure the 18-year-old's signature.

"What attracted us to Sam is his clean hands and his clever left foot, which he uses to either set up teammates in position or kick goals himself," Beatson said on the Swans' website.

"Sam joins us as a Category B player being a NSW resident and is already on his way up to Sydney — he is eager to start training immediately."

Fisher could have the distinction of being involved in the last ever rookie draft, with the AFL considering scrapping the rookie list and extending the primary list in the new collective bargaining agreement.

The pre-season draft did not take place this year as no clubs elected to add any more players onto their primary lists.