Sam Reid is aiming to add another string to his bow in season 2015 with more time spent down back well and truly on the 23-year-old’s agenda.
Reid, returning from injury, found himself at the opposite end to normal for the Swans’ final NAB Challenge match against GWS in Canberra on Sunday.
The Swans’ newest swing man lined up on Jeremy Cameron in defence before sharing the duties with experienced backman Ted Richards throughout the see-sawing affair at StarTrack Oval.
Reid was serviceable in his first full hit out as a key defender collecting 11 disposals and eight marks.
“It’s a bit of a change up,” Reid said. “I’ve been training a lot back there and the aim was to try and play there a bit (during pre-season).
“But that didn’t eventuate two weeks ago because we were a bit short forward.
“I guess that’s the beauty of being able to play both ends – wherever I’m needed I can fill that role.”
Reid was involved in a few one on one contests with Cameron who in his short career with the Giants, has established himself as a premier forward of the competition.
Cameron booted five goals on the weekend in a classy display.
“He’s a tough opponent to play on,” Reid said of the 21-year-old. “He’s quick, he knows where to go, has a good launch at the ball and great hands.
“It was my first time down there so I’m still learning a bit. It’s good to play on those guys, especially in games like that where there are no points on the line.
“It was good practice and allows for good habits to form for when the real stuff starts.”
Mastering the backman’s craft and adapting quickly to the different game style will be crucial to Reid’s development within a role which focuses more so on an opponent than the sherrin.
Fortunately experience in the form of Richards and Heath Grundy will be a saving grace on the field.
Off the field Reid has the option of turning to brother Ben from Collingwood who has become a handy swing man himself.
“You’re not looking to get the as much as you are trying to limit your opponents’ effect on the game which can be tough,” Reid added.
“I’m lucky I’ve got guys like Grundy, Richards, Jeremy Laidler, Dane Rampe and Rhyce Shaw who are really good at directing and leading out there.
“Their talk is really important and they helped me a lot when I was out there, giving me advice and talking me through situations.”
A heart-stopping situation unfolded in front of his eyes on Sunday as Craig Bird kicked a match-winning goal right on the siren to clinch the six-point win.
Reid would have been one of Isaac Heeney’s targets in the Swans’ forward 50 and front and centre to the action as the final seconds ticked over.
Instead, Reid was happy to watch on as Bird snapped truly and then converge on the midfielder as players celebrated.
“As you could see, for a NAB Challenge game, we were pretty happy with the win,” Reid said.
