Key Sydney forward Sam Reid will ramp up his push for an AFL return when the Swans meet the Giants at North Dalton Park in Wollongong on Saturday.

The 2012 premiership star last week returned from a long injury lay-off to face the Brisbane Lions in Blacktown, banking his first game since suffering a quad injury in the senior side’s clash with GWS in Round 3.

The 26-year-old logged 45 minutes of game time in the win over the Lions and a chance to test himself against AFL-listed quality again awaits.

Development coach Tadhg Kennelly said Reid would look to turn another corner as the third-placed Swans search for eight wins in a row in the Round 14 fixture.

“He had limited game time last week and will push for more minutes this week,” Kennelly told SwansTV.

“He was very sharp on his toes last week and even defensively he was very good for us. We’ll look for him to compete again this week, give us some options going forward and really look to get more understanding of the flight of the footy and some game time into his body, which is a key component to pushing on for senior selection.”

Midfielders Jordan Dawson and Jordan Foote will be out to press their claims for senior recalls on Saturday, while backmen Nic Newman and Harry Marsh are wanting to build on the time they’ve spent in the AFL in 2018.

Newman has played three senior games this season and Marsh seven.

Ruckman Darcy Cameron is one of the revelations of the year and is set to cross swords with blossoming Giants big man Matt Flynn, who is averaging 27 hit-outs per game this season.

Kennelly believes third-year Swan Colin O’Riordan has starred in every game in 2018 and the dependable backman will relish another chance to test his might against AFL-listed talent in the Giants.

Defender Alex Johnson has enjoyed a promising run of form since returning from injury in Round 9 and will again be important to the Swans’ back six.

Kennelly says it’s important those on the verge of AFL call-ups always put their best foot forward in the NEAFL.

“You never know when your opportunity does come and certainly Dawson, Cameron, O’Riordan and a number of others have been knocking the door down,” Kennelly said.

“You don’t know when your chance is going to come and you want to be playing some solid football and good football when it does come.

“Cameron and O’Riordan haven’t dropped their bundle all year. They’ve certainly been the two most consistent footballers all year in the NEAFL and I’m sure it won’t be any different this weekend.

“Jordan Foote should play more game time, Jordan Dawson should too and hopefully those guys can continue to push for senior selection as well.”

Among seven changes to the side that overcame Brisbane, exciting young forward Toby Pink will return from injury to play his first game of the year.

QBE Sydney Swans Academy stars and Wollongong locals Sam Thorne (debut) and Kyle Veerhuis will enjoy a homecoming, as will young speedster James Bell who hails from Shellharbour.

The Giants boast strike of their own and are flying off the back of five straight wins.

They collected a 40-point win over Aspley last Saturday and enjoyed a comprehensive victory over reigning premier Brisbane the week prior.

Kennelly said the Giants would present a massive test.

“They’re playing some great football,” Kennelly said.

“They’re really up and going. Aiden Bonar, Nick Shipley and Harry Perryman are all playing good football on the inside. Matty Flynn, their ruckman, has been playing some good football and also Lachie Keeffe.

“Every time we play an AFL club it’s a great challenge. It’s good for us to be playing against some AFL footballers and likewise for the Giants. 

“I’m sure the contest is going to be fierce because that’s the way the Giants play their football and they’ve been playing some really good football over the past five weeks.”

Who: Sydney Swans v GWS Giants

Where: North Dalton Park, Wollongong

When: 12:00pm Saturday

Round: 14

Sydney Swans team:

B: 6. Jordan Foote 21. Jack Maibaum 2. Alex Johnson
HB: 34. Jordan Dawson 31. Harrison Marsh 47. Toby Pink
C: 41. Jake Brown 52. Harrison Parker 51. Connor Flanagan
HF: 20. Sam Reid 28. Nic Newman 50. Sam Wicks
F: 55. Bailey Stewart 46. Joel Amartey 58. Mitchell Rogers
Foll: 17. Darcy Cameron 38. Colin O’Riordan 32. James Bell
Inter: 53. Max Ries 49. Isaac Bartholomaeus 56. Dylan Smith 57. Kyle Veerhuis48. Sam Thorne

In: 53. Max Ries 49. Isaac Bartholomaeus 56. Dylan Smith 57. Kyle Veerhuis 48. Sam Thorne 47. Toby Pink 52. Harrison Parker

Out: 43. Lewis Melican (injured) 33. Ryley Stoddart (injured) 45. Angus Styles (injured)

53. Dominic Soffe (omitted) 49. Mark Kannan (omitted) 52. Josh Rayner (omitted) 48. Luke Parks (omitted)

New: 53. Max Ries 48. Sam Thorne