Sydney Swans forward Sam Reid has been excited by the youth in the side after playing his first game of the season on the weekend. 

Reid returned to the side for his first game of 2020 in Saturday’s win against Hawthorn playing alongside the likes of Elijah Taylor and Matt Ling for the first time.

Taylor kicked a miraculous goal in just his third game while Ling made his long awaited debut after a number of injuries since being recruited by the Club in 2017.

Oliver Florent, Tom McCartin and James Rowbottom are other young players to have shown significant improvement in recent seasons.

Reid said it was pleasing to see the club’s investment in young talent begin to pay off.

“It’s been over the last couple of years where we’ve seen these guys come through and we are just starting to see the impact they’re having,” Reid said.

“Ollie Florent is really starting to come to the forefront and lead the club, he has stepped up another level this year which isn’t all that surprising given the pre-season he had.

“Elijah Taylor is up there with one of the most talented players I’ve played with.

“That sort of guys are really starting to step up to the plate.”

Reid said there was some unpredictability that comes with having a less experienced side.

“It is going to come with some inconsistency as it does with a younger team as it is hard to train those pressure situations that you face,” he said.

“Games like on the weekend where we were able to tough out a win, I think those younger guys will take a lot out of that experience.

“Going forward it will hold us in good stead.”