Sydney forward Sam Reid will return to the side for his first game of the season this weekend, and in doing so will add experience and marking power to the Swans forward line.

The 196cm key forward has battled a series of different leg injuries but is ready to put the setbacks behind him for the match against Hawthorn at the SCG on Saturday.

Reid's injury nightmare started early in the year when a slight hamstring strain forced him to miss the Marsh Community Series.

He was looking to return in time to play for the Swans in round one, but discomfort in his knee had revealed damage to his meniscus that needed an arthroscope operation.  

The shutdown period between rounds one and two gave Reid time to recover from his knee operation without missing any more matches, but calf soreness was the next injury concern to strike.

The 2012 premiership player is all too familiar with the rehabilitation unit at the Swans, playing only one game in 2018 due to serious quad and Achilles injuries, and missing the entire 2016 season because of recurring soft-tissue complaints.

"I played a full season last year, for the first time in my career. Then this year has been stop-start again, so that's been disappointing," Reid told reporters on Thursday.

"It's disappointing that I can say that I know what rehabilitation is about, because I've been there plenty of times.

"But I'm confident now, with the work I've done, I can look to have another strong season."

Reid was able to keep positive – and distracted – during his time on the sidelines by spending more time with his young family.

"The timing of the lockdown sort of worked out alright, as I have a young son now who just turned one last week, so I had some time with him.

"It was a good escape. If there was a bright side to [being injured], I got to see a few milestones for him, which was exciting."

The 28-year-old said his focus for this week is to bring "leadership and direction" to a young forward group that has been undermanned and undersized in recent weeks.

"It's always frustrating watching, particularly with the youth we've got out there at the moment," Reid said.

"Tom Papley has been doing a great job [in the forward line]. He's the most experienced out there and he's playing like a man possessed. He's been putting a lot on his shoulders and playing really well.

"But it's hard to replace experience, and hopefully a few more experienced heads out there will be helpful."

Reid is looking forward to making his return against Hawthorn and passing on some of the recent history and passion between the two clubs to the younger players at the Swans.

"We do have a good rivalry. Over the last eight or nine years we've had some really close games," he said.

"We always enjoy playing Hawthorn, enjoy beating them.

"But it's always a really good competition because they're a really fierce team too, so we look forward to that again this week."