Breust, who finished level with superboot Tony Lockett on 29 for the most consecutive goals scored without a behind, is a supporter of the academy system, which was at the heart of the blue between Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham and his Collingwood counterpart Eddie McGuire.

Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold has also weighed into the issue, calling for an overhaul of the bidding system used to access academy graduates.

The Swans Academy had not been established when Breust, 23, was a junior. Instead, he arrived on Hawthorn's rookie list via the Swans' reserves team, with whom he won a Canberra league premiership, the NSW/ACT Rams in the National Under-18s Championships, and his local club Temora in the NSW Riverina area.

If Breust was a junior today, he would be on the radar of the Giants, who have access to southern NSW. Breust's cousin Jake Barrett, who was also a talented rugby league player, was picked by the Giants last year with a NSW zone selection.

Breust said players from his home state had a better chance now of finding their way onto an AFL list than when he was a junior.

''There's a few local boys from back home who are in the Giants Academy. They really enjoy it and think it's great for their development to get away from Temora and into Sydney, and have access to quality coaches and resources that can help better their game,'' Breust said.

The Rams had three players selected in the under-18 All Australian team this year but there could be up to 10 in line to be drafted later this year.

''It seemed like back when I was growing up, if one guy got drafted from NSW it was pretty good. Now it seems like there's some pretty talented guys,'' Breust said.

''Just look at the under-18 carnival this year. Three or four guys got into the All Australian side and there's another handful of guys who have a chance of getting drafted or rookied. The chances are definitely there for NSW guys to get picked up and make it into the AFL.

''I think the pathways to get into AFL footy for NSW kids is a lot easier [now]. The resources and talent programs are there. If you're willing to work hard, you can make it from NSW or anywhere in Australia.''

Breust has clearly made it, judging by a pair of top-10 finishes in the Hawks' best and fairest the past two years and his hot form this season in front of the big sticks, which has him fifth in the Coleman Medal race.

Breust said he is content with sharing the record with Lockett and is relieved the streak is over.

''To equal him, I'm more than happy with that,'' Breust said.

''Over the last couple of weeks I probably didn't take shots I would have in the past – the main one being the North Melbourne one, where I had a set shot from the boundary and ended up squaring on the inside.

''I'm happy it's over and I can go back to playing my natural game, having shots and taking opportunities when I can as a small forward.''

Breust, who credited his freakish accuracy this year to the work he did with coaches David Rath and Adem Yze, has practised goalkicking while tired at training to better replicate the intensity of game day.

''I'd do a couple of runs and be fatigued like you are in games when you've led and double-led and taken the mark,'' Breust said.

''You're pretty tired once you get the footy. You have to compose yourself and kick the goal.''

Breust, the Hawks' leading goalkicker in the post-Franklin era, is likely to have a big role to play if the Swans are to have their 12-game winning streak snapped.

''They had some hiccups early in the season, but since then they've been nothing but outstanding the way they've gone about it,'' Breust said.

''They've taken all before them, really. It'll be a real test [on] Saturday night.''