It seems obvious for a forward, but offence will be Sam Reid’s focus in today’s AFL Grand Final.

The 20-year-old, who will line up in his first Grand Final, said he had been pleased with his defensive work this finals’ series, but is aiming to make more of a contribution on the score board this afternoon.

Reid kicked one goal in the Swans’ first final against Adelaide, but failed to register a major in last Friday night’s Preliminary Final against Collingwood.

Speaking to SwansTV this week, Reid said he is determined to make more of an impact up forward in today’s decider.

“(My form) has been alright defensively, I think,” Reid said.

“Obviously I can still improve a lot offensively and maybe kick some goals, but whether I’m kicking goals is to do with my role in the team and as long as I’m doing what I need to do within the structures and we’re being successful, then I’m happy.”

Swans coach John Longmire was also pleased with Reid’s defensive efforts last Friday night, despite his centre-half forward failing to register a score.

Longmire said Reid’s ability to put pressure on the opposition both through his speed and defensive ability was a major asset for the Swans’ forward line.

“I thought his pressure was really good and he is an important player in our team with what he is able to bring to the table,” he said.

“He’s quick, he’s got huge long arms that get into great interceptions and are really important defensively.

“In the (Collingwood) game he got a couple of great interceptions - I think his wing span is enormous.”

“When he is able to use his speed and get across the ground so quickly it puts a lot of pressure on the opposition and doubt in the opposition, which is really important.”

Longmire added that Reid’s capability on field also allows other Swans players to concentrate on different roles across the ground, particularly co-captain Adam Goodes who for a long time was the ‘go-to’ player in the Sydney forward line.

“(Reid) just allows us to play players in different positions,” the coach said.

“A couple of years ago someone asked me what player I would like to see come through and why, and one of the players I really wanted to see come through was Sam Reid, and this was when he’d only played one game.

“I thought he could play, that was an obvious thing … but I thought what he could do with our structure meant that Goodsey didn’t have to play at centre-half forward, which he had done the previous year.”

The last time Reid lined up against Hawthorn was in the Swans’ seven-point loss in round 22 at the SCG. On that occasion, Reid managed to kick 2.2 and was one of the Swans’ stronger performers up forward.

Reid said his form in that match has provided him some reassurance heading into today’s meeting with Hawthorn at the MCG.

“That game does give me a little bit of confidence,” Reid said.

“I kicked two and I think I could have kicked another couple, so there were some things in that game that I could definitely improve on and I’ll look back at that tape as well as Hawthorn’s recent games and hopefully that will help me to have a decent crack.”

In just his third year of AFL, this week’s game will be Reid’s fifth final in his short 45-game career.

The Swans’ youngest forward said the fact he will be playing his first Grand Final before he reaches the 50-game milestone is hard to believe.

“It’s a little bit surreal I think, and it still hasn’t quite sunk in,” he said.

“Heading into this year we were quite confident with this group and obviously to make a Prelim was a really good opportunity at the start and then to win that means we’ve given ourselves another opportunity.

“It’s still a little bit hard to believe, but it’s really exciting at the same time.”