YOUNG Sydney Swans forward Sam Reid has been doing a mountain of work trying to improve his return in front of goal.

With skipper Adam Goodes suspended from Sunday's big clash with North Melbourne at the SCG, the club will be hoping the 20-year-old can continue to show the fruits of that labour.

Reid's talent and potential is undeniable, with his terrific hands and athletic ability leading to a five-year contract extension late last year.

But goalkicking has been his Achilles heel to date, with a career return of 27.31, including 4.4 this season.

He kicked three first-half goals against Fremantle a fortnight ago, but still sprayed a set shot from 20m out on a slight angle.

Reid continues to work tirelessly on his technique, which is the final piece in the puzzle for him to take the next step in his burgeoning career.

"He does an enormous amount of work every week on that," coach John Longmire said on Friday.

"He's really only coming into his second season of AFL football, so he's still working on those aspects every week and will continue to do for his whole career.

"You work on your craft and his craft is taking marks and kicking goals.

"It's about practising so that you're really confident in your routine. You do an enormous amount of practice each week from all parts of the ground so when you get in those situations on game day, you can draw on that.

"That's they key to goalkicking; practising enough so you can draw on those experiences under pressure."

The Swans were unsuccessful this week in challenging Goodes' one-game suspension for leading with his legs into a contest with Port Adelaide's Jacob Surjan.

It was the second time he had been suspended for the style of attacking a contest this year, after an incident during the NAB Cup, although on the first occasion he led with his boots.

Regardless, the Swans know their superstar needs to alter his approach.

"We felt the pre-season incident compared to this one was completely different," Longmire said.

"That's why we went to the tribunal.

"[But] the options that Adam had, other than what he did, was to dive in head-first - which is obviously not ideal - or to stand up.

"It's pretty simple - stand up."

While Reid will need to step up this week, Longmire is also hoping for a spread of goalkickers, with Lewis Jetta, Gary Rohan and Craig Bird among those who can add to the scoreboard.

And Longmire knows he will need all hands on deck against an in-form Kangaroos outfit.

"That's as good as they've played for a long time," Longmire said of last week's win over Geelong.

"I think everyone knows Geelong have been the benchmark team for a long time now and to be in command for three-quarters of the game like [the Kangaroos] were was a real credit to them.

"They've recruited really well over the last few years, they have a lot of midfield depth, and their forwards are on fire at the moment."

James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD