Sydney Swans’ forward Sam Reid relishing life as a dad and bringing on the club’s attacking young guns

Sydney Swans forward Sam Reid is racking up the disposables in impressive style with the new dad relishing his role in nurturing the next generation — at home and at work.

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Sydney Swans forward Sam Reid is racking up the disposables in impressive style with the new dad relishing his role in nurturing the next generation — at home and at work.

The 27-year-old and wife Kim welcomed baby Saxon into the world on July 15, the couple’s first child.

And while nappy-changing at home is a new challenge to embrace, Reid is also playing his part in helping bring on the young attacking guns at Moore Park.

With Lance Franklin having missed large chunks of the season, Reid — approaching a decade at the club — has frequently been the senior figure in attack for the Swans.

And just as he once looked to Adam Goodes for help and advice, Reid is happy to impart wisdom to a younger generation.

“I think I’m the most experienced by quite a few years,” Reid told The Saturday Telegraph.

Live stream the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on KAYO SPORTS. Every match of every round. Live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial >“That’s been a little bit different for me, especially with Bud (Franklin) not playing too much this year. He’s a massive influence on our forward group and a great leader out there.

“The young guys all compete really hard, they’re really enthusiastic and bring a lot of excitement to the forwards group. I’m loving playing with these guys and I can’t wait to see where they get to because there’s some seriously special talent coming through.

Sam Reid and his one-week old son Saxon. Pic: Phil Hillyard

“When I was coming through we had a strong senior group and people you could learn so much from, the likes of Goodesy and Benny McGlynn. I try and pass things on where I can.”

While the 2019 campaign looks set to end without finals football, for Reid himself to be an ever-present is hugely satisfying.

Injuries have thwarted his attempts to put consecutive campaigns together and in pre-season teammate Luke Parker joked that Reid’s story was ‘fartlek footy’ — a case of one season on, one season off.

“Well, he called it early on that I’d be playing this year and he’s been right, thankfully,” Reid laughed.

“I was able to have a strong off-season and pre-season and that set me up. I’m still learning about my body and I’m getting better at that, When to push myself, when to pull back a little bit.

“I don’t want it to continue to be a ‘fartlek’ career. I want to finish the year strongly and then come back for another strong pre-season and go again.”

Reid has been one of the Swans’ bright lights in 2019. Pic: AAP

With 25 goals so far Reid is only six goals shy of beating his best ever season tally and he has also shown resilience after a difficult spell earlier in the campaign.

Back in April Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd said Reid would have already have been axed had he been plying his trade at a Melbourne or Adelaide club.

But far from sulking or slamming his accuser, Reid accepted he was not at his best and worked to put it right.

“I had a few down weeks, I admit that. But I was able to put a few games together and I’ve been able to stay out there and contribute,” he said.

Reid, who has also helped out in the ruck in recent weeks, is relishing another huge test this weekend against ladder leaders, Geelong.

“It’s a perfect challenge for us,” he said. “We want to show that we’re not far off if we play the footy we know we can play.”

Then it’s back to being dad.

“Every day you go home and there’s something new. We’re just loving it (being parents),” Reid said.