THE SYDNEY Swans expect injured key forward Sam Reid and small defender Nick Smith to be available for the qualifying final against Adelaide.

Reid pulled up sore at training during the week and was forced to miss the game against the Cats with a minor glute strain.

The 20-year-old is already a pivotal player in the Swans attack, having kicked 29 goals in 19 games this season.

Sydney Swans coach John Longmire admitted after the game that Reid's absence probably contributed to the Swans' safe ball movement throughout the game.

The Swans recorded only 41 inside 50s for the game, which made the job difficult for the forwards, however having no-one to kick to did not help.

"Sam across centre half-forward does help us a bit and I thought our talls up forward probably weren't great," Longmire said. 

Reid has kicked just one goal in two games against Adelaide.

Smith was a late withdrawal from the game after suffering some hamstring tightness. The Swans were still hopeful he would play on Saturday morning and Smith underwent a fitness test. However he was running at about 90 per cent capacity and the Swans refused to risk him.

The 24-year-old Smith has played 71 games and four finals and would be expected to get the jobs on key opposition forwards such as Adelaide's Jason Porplyzia, Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli and Geelong's Steve Johnson.