Sam Reid might face giant decision with his wife due on AFL grand final day

Playing on grand final day in Melbourne or being in Sydney for the birth of your first child? GWS Giants star Sam Reid says he can do both.

Sam Reid is facing the prospect of a ‘fly in-fly-out’ grand final day with wife Elissa due to give birth to their first child on Saturday September 28.

The Giants defender penned a new one-year contract yesterday but as he looks to help the side build on their tremendous victory over Collingwood on Sunday, there’s a potentially tricky scenario looming.

Reid Jnr is due to make his or her appearance on AFL’s biggest day — and that leaves dad with a tiny problem should the Giants get that far.

“My reaction was ‘you’re kidding’ when told the due date,” the 29-year-old laughed.

“There were a few laughs but hopefully the baby will hold on until after the grand final.

“Elissa told me she knows how much it (a first flag) would mean to me so I guess I’ve got her blessing. Maybe it’s a fly in, win it and fly out kind of day.”

For now, it’s all about working towards booking the grand final berth and crossing the birth bridge when he comes to it.

But then Reid is no stranger to a challenge.

Having to manage Type 1 diabetes is no picnic and then throw in the fact he retired through injury in 2013 before making a playing comeback in 2016 means he has had to — and continues to — overcome hurdles.

But he’s adamant he’s getting better with age. Reid has been ever-present for Leon Cameron’s side this season and both player and club are in agreement that he’s great shape to go round again in 2020.

Sam Reid and wife Elissa.

Reid is an underrated cog for the Giants. Pic: Getty Images

Contrast that with a situation which saw Reid take almost 10 years to reach his 50-game AFL milestone, finally getting there in July last year.

But as he worked as a development coach at the Giants the inner fire to play continued to burn. After two seasons helping to steer the club’s NEAFL side around the park he made a comeback ahead of the 2016 campaign via the rookie draft.

“I’m bloody rapt,” he told The Daily Telegraph after signing his deal.

“People talk about age but it’s like the reverse for me. I feel like I’m getting better with age. I think I’m kind of lucky. I see the game a bit differently now with having the coaching aspect and having had that couple of years off. I’ve worked really hard to get to this point.

“It’s kind of an odd story but one I’m super proud of.”

The type 1 diabetes diagnosis in 2009 was a bolt from the blue but he’s doing so much more than just ‘cope’ with it.

Teammates mob Sam Reid after he kicked a goal against Collingwood. Pic: Getty Images

“I started targeting foods and herbs that would help keep me out on the track and get me away from taking anti-inflammatories,” he said.

After a rough month, the Giants have bounced back to form with Saturday’s one-point win away to Port Adelaide following a demolition of Collingwood, giving the camp a huge lift.

“Our backs were against the wall, we came out and had a really big win for the club,” Reid said.

“Now we have to go again. You want to be hitting your straps this last few games.”