OUT-OF-FAVOUR Swan Tom Mitchell has turned down an advance from Carlton, saying he is determined to win a regular senior spot in the Sydney midfield next season.

Mitchell, 21, confirmed he would not entertain trade offers despite another “frustrating” year during which he played only six senior games.

The hard-nut onballer topped the Blues’ midfield wish-list after another dazzling season in the NEAFL, averaging 31 possessions, seven clearances, five tackles and one goal a game.

But Mitchell, who put on a brave face as an emergency in the Swans’ Grand Final team, said he would use the continued selection heartbreak to drive himself to greater heights in the pre-season.

It is believed the Blues were prepared to part with their No.6 draft selection to secure Mitchell in one of the most intriguing subplots to next month’s trade period.

But asked if he would consider a move for the opportunity to play more senior games, Mitchell replied: “Not at all. It has been a frustrating season for myself, having to deal with injuries and then missing out on being selected a few times, b ut I’ve just tried to stay positive and I’m sure with a full pre-season under my belt I can attack the year and get back into the team.

“I’m contracted in Sydney for another two years and I’m happy in Sydney.

“Hopefully we can get a win (against Hawthorn) and there’s more success in the future as well.”

media_camera Tom Mitchell only played six games in 2014. Picture: Michael Klein

Mitchell — son of former Sydney, Collingwood and Carlton player Barry Mitchell — will watch from the stands as Swans lesser lights such as Jake Lloyd and Harry Cunningham carry the club’s premiership hopes at the MCG.

He set a state league record gathering 64 possessions earlier in the season, but was dropped by the Swans on the eve of the finals after 29 touches in their Round 23 loss to Richmond.

He named best-on-ground in the NEAFL grand final.

Swans champion Adam Goodes said the disappointment Mitchell had experienced was “part of the journey for our younger guys”.

“The guys who missed out (on the Grand Final) in 2005, like Jarrad McVeigh and Nick Malceski, look where they are now,” Goodes said.

“It should burn and he should be a bit flat, because you are that close, and hopefully that motivates him and drives him to be better next year.”

Coach John Longmire has said the father-son selection had been left out due to team balance.

The Swans lost four of the six games in which Mitchell played in this season.