Sam is a third generation footballer at the elite level. His grandfather Bruce Reid Senior (Footscray) and father Bruce (Footscray and Carlton) both played at VFL level, while his uncle John was a part of the inaugural Sydney Swans team in 1982-83, in a career that spanned three clubs and more than 100 games. John later became the Swans Football Manager and served a stint as Reserves Coach. To top it all off, Sam’s brother Ben will play a key defensive role in Collingwood’s finals campaign in 2010.
The athletic 18-year old, recruited from Wangaratta and the Murray Bushrangers, was a late inclusion into the Swans line-up to take on Brisbane, after the withdrawals of Dan Hannebery and Tadhg Kennelly.
“I was pretty stoked just to be an emergency but I got a call from Roosy on Friday to tell me that Dan and Tadhg hadn’t come up, and that I would be playing my first game against Brisbane,” Reid recalls.
“I rang my parents straight away to let them know. They were able to get on a flight and arrived in Brisbane on Saturday morning so I was able to catch up with them before the match,” he said.
Sam, twice named as a travelling emergency, said that experience had helped quell his debut nerves.
“Knowing the match day process and having gone through it a few times, I knew what to expect and that really helped keep me pretty relaxed. The nerves probably kicked in a little on the bus when I received about twenty text messages from family and friends, wishing me luck and telling me they’d be watching,” he said.
As one Reid was eagerly preparing for his AFL debut, another was battling it out on the MCG against the Hawks formidable forward line.
“[Brother] Ben had text me the night before to congratulate me, but also called me as soon as his match against the Hawks had finished, to wish me luck.”
If Sam carried any nerves onto the ground, it was hardly noticeable, his first foray into the play resulted in a strong mark on the lead.
Playing across half forward, he finished the match with 13 disposals, eight marks and capped off a promising debut with a goal in the last quarter.
Though not sure which end of the ground he is best suited at this stage, Sam knows there is still work to be done before he is holding down a regular spot in the Swans senior line-up.
“I like playing as a forward and leading up to the ball, but have spent a lot of time in defence in the Reserves. I’m not sure the coaches have really decided what role best suits me, but I’m happy either end of the ground,” he said.
“My body size and strength is probably the key thing I need to work on for next year, just so I am able to compete with the likes of Daniel Merrett [his opponent for some time against the Lions] and other key position size players.”
Sam notes his team mentors Jarred Moore and Craig Bolton, along with Swans development coach Stuart Dew, as keys to his progress this year.
While Sam would love to retain his position in the team for this weekend’s elimination final, he admits that playing just one senior game this year has already far exceeded his expectations for 2010.
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