Skill work is playing a key part in John Longmire’s early pre-season training plans, with the Swans again venturing out to Centennial Park this morning to continue their ball work.

The 1-3 year players completed a tough skills session in blustery conditions before engaging in a challenging Fartlek workout to conclude the morning’s training.

Swans key forward, Sam Reid, has welcomed the skill-dominated training session at the start of the pre-season and is hoping it can put the team in good stead as the season approaches.

“This year it will be skills predominately in the pre-season, which is good. We should be all ready to go for the season,” Reid, who led the way at the Swans with 40 marks inside 50 last year, told SwansTV today.

2011 was a breakthrough year for Reid, who will turn 20 in December, after he played 23 games and developed into one of the AFL’s most exciting forward prospects. However, he acknowledges that there are still areas of his game he can improve on to take his game to the next level.

“I need to put on a bit more weight to compete with the bigger guys down in the key position areas,” he said when speaking about ways he can improve for next year.

“(I’ve been working on) my body work, and being a bit smarter with my movements and leading patterns, and being able to use my body to out-position my opponents.”

Reid’s pre-season was hampered last year with the young forward needing a shoulder operation, but he says he feels much better placed this time around.

“Last year, I was limited to two or three weeks of running, whereas this year I have got four or five (weeks) in,” he said.

“So I’m feeling a bit stronger this year and a bit fitter, which makes me confident.”

Reid also spoke highly of fellow Swans youngster Gary Rohan, who struggled with injury throughout last season, and he expects the exciting utility player to come on again in 2012.

“I think Gary Rohan has had a tough run with injury but when he has played he has been extremely exciting, so if he can get 20 games under his belt he will be a really good player,” Reid said.

The 1-3 year players will continue with their skill work and a gym session tomorrow, while they welcome back the 4-7 year players who will return with a 3km time trial.