AFL grand final: Sam Reid reflects on 2022 GF injury call after Swans take cautious approach with Mills

When Callum Mills was under an injury cloud, Sam Reid was the first name that came to mind after the Swans’ last grand final appearance. Reid reflects on the disastrous 2022 decider.

Retired Swans forward Sam Reid admits he is “at peace” with the decision to play in the 2022 grand final, as his former club erred on the side of caution by ruling captain Callum Mills out of Saturday’s clash against the Lions.

Many comparisons were made to Reid over the past week given the injury cloud that surrounded both him and Mills heading into the biggest game of the season.

After injuring his adductor in the 2022 preliminary final against Collingwood, the forward was eventually cleared to take his place a week later against Geelong. The risk unfortunately didn’t pay off with the key tall subbed out at half time. It’s not a decision that would have had too much influence on the game with Geelong dominant in an 81-point win.

However, Reid believes that regardless of the decision made this time around, the medical staff would put the club and their chances of winning the premiership first.

Reid pushed through the pain barrier but wasn’t able to see out the 2022 grand final. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“Bit of difference to my situation given I did mine in a prelim,” Reid said in an interview with this masthead before the decision not to play Mills was confirmed.

“I’m at peace with the decision to play. I thought it was the right call at the time, as did the club. Turns out it wasn’t, but we live and die by the sword a little bit. I hope it doesn’t cost Millsy and I don’t think it will.

“It’s not a fun decision for Horse to make.”

Both Mills and Longmire spoke positively about the captain’s chances of playing against Brisbane on Wednesday morning. However, only hours later the Swans confirmed that Mills had been ruled out of the grand final.

It’s not a decision that surprised former Swan Jude Bolton who felt the club had to be 100 per cent certain Mills could deliver in the big moments if he was selected.

Given his slower start to the year, he also understands why you can’t select a player you have doubts over in a grand final.

Mills trained strongly on Wednesday morning but the club opted not to risk him for the grand final. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“He’s been a terrific leader, but he’s had a really tough and challenging year,” Bolton said.

“Obviously, missing the first 16-17 rounds, came back in and looked a bit scratchy as well. He looked like he had missed that much footy.

“He finally started to find his feet a few weeks ago. I didn’t think he was terrific in the first qualifying final, had some moments where he leaked a goal here or there. But he is also the leader of the club, so you can give him every opportunity.

“They’ve also had the experience of losing the last three grand finals. You can’t make these decisions lightly. You’ve got to take emotion out of it and pick the best team.

“And they’ve shown that the best team at times is when he hasn’t been in there. They played super well in the prelim, they played well at the start of the year as well. If you don’t think he can stand up in a moment if Harry Cunningham gets blocked and he has to chase Charlie Cameron in a crucial moment, I wouldn’t be picking him.”

It’s one of the tougher calls Longmire has had to make in his coaching career not selecting his sole captain for the grand final. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Reid, who retired from footy in the back half of the year following another serious hamstring injury, concedes there will be a bit of envy watching his former teammates in action at the MCG.

But his main emotion ahead of Saturday’s clash is excitement after witnessing first-hand the development of so many players that will be integral in their premiership push.

“The last two grand finals I’ve been involved in, 2022 I didn’t get to enjoy the week at all because I was living in a recovery centre and trying to get my body right,” Reid said.

“And 2016, I didn’t play in, but I was an emergency-emergency, so the last two I haven’t been able to sit back and enjoy.

“I got down to the field after the siren went on the weekend (against Port Adelaide) and to see the joy on the boys’ faces, and the whole club, it’s so good to see. I’m so happy because I know how hard everyone has worked.

“I’m hoping they can right a few wrongs of 2022. I’m jealous as hell but I’m super happy for them and can’t wait to get down there and see them get it done.”

Originally published as AFL grand final: Sam Reid reflects on 2022 GF injury call after Swans take cautious approach with Mills