Sam Reid is confident his wretched injury run is behind him and he’s on track to play in round one alongside Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin in a revamped Sydney Swans forward line in 2017.
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The versatile Reid, who can play forward or back, didn’t play an AFL game in 2016 after crippling hamstring, calf and Achilles problems.
But Reid’s value was emphasised by coach John Longmire considering the swingman as a shock inclusion for the grand final against the Bulldogs - despite just three NEAFL appearances the whole season.
And while Reid eventually ran out of time in 2016 the good news is the 2012 premiership star is injury-free, has a full pre-season behind him and is locked in to playing his 99th AFL game in round one.
Reid is a regular in Wollongong for the Swans annual two-day Community Camp, with around 40 youngsters joining eight Sydney players for a clinic at North Dalton Park on Monday.
Still only 25 after making his AFL debut in 2010, Reid said it was great to be finally injury free.
‘’Last year was frustrating, no question but for the first time in quite a few pre-seasons I’ve been able to do everything required. I’ve had no restrictions, the body is fine and I’ll be good to go for round one,’’ he said.
Reid had been used as a tall marking option up forward previously, but Longmire has pencilled in Reid as his first option at centre half forward and the Swans main marking forward with Buddy Franklin.
‘’I’ve trained as a forward this pre season and ready for whatever role I am given,’’ Reid said.
‘’Things can change pretty quick and if I have to play behind the ball, or on a wing or whatever the team needs then it’s fine with me. But I have been training as a forward and that’s probably where I will start early on.’’
Despite two grand final losses in three seasons, Reid says the ultra-consistent Swans are not fazed by another massive challenge in taking on other likely contenders GWS, Geelong, Adelaide and premiers Western Bulldogs among others as serious flag contenders.
‘’The grand final was obviously disappointing but we reviewed the game three or four days after it and have moved on pretty quickly from there.’’
Reid is a popular figure in Wollongong for the Community Camps and remains impressed with the North Dalton Park venue and the strength of AFL in the region.
‘’I love coming to Wollongong; it’s a growth area for AFL, has a really good Academy base down here and it’s right on our door step for the Swans. We don’t have training camps down here but if we did it would be a good base. This facility is terrific and who knows what could come of it in the future.’’
The Swans hosted a Girls Clinic following the general clinic on Monday and were then guests for the AFL South Coast season launch on Monday night. The Swans will continue their Community Camp by visiting 10 local schools on Tuesday including Lindsay Park Public School, Albion Park Rail PS and Dapto PS.