Giants defender Sam Reid back in frame after almost three years on the outer
THE Giants Sam Reid is back in the picture at last. After 1,071 days on the outer he’s finally been named for Sunday’s derby.
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SAM Reid is back in the picture — at last.
After 1071 days on the outer at Greater Western Sydney he’s finally been named for Sunday’s Sydney Derby X at Spotless Stadium against the Swans.
The 26-year-old has almost forgotten his last match, which was almost three years ago when the Giants lost at Manuka Oval against his old team the Western Bulldogs by four points.
When Reid was delisted at end of that season it looked almost certain to be his final game in the AFL.
After two years as a playing development coach with the GWS reserves the road back to AFL looked almost impossible with the Giants’ continual inflow of high draft picks but his persistence has paid off.
Reid believes it was the lessons learned mentoring the NEAFL team which has brought about his remarkable revival.
“I’ve got no doubt at all being a coach has helped me massively,” Reid told The Daily Telegraph.
“I have to practice what I preach, if you don’t your teammates won’t follow you.
“Being in the coaches’ meetings also gave me a different perspective on the game. It gave me a different view out on the ground as well.”
As a playing coach, Reid said he felt pressure to put his words into action and did mostly as a forward/midfielder in the NEAFL where he’s kicked 24 goals in eight games this season.
“It was a pressure I felt but it was good,” Reid said.
“You can’t say something and not do it yourself, your teammates will see it’s BS and call you for it.”
Sunday’s derby will be only his 25th since being drafted by the Western Bulldogs with pick 35 at the end of 2007.
He managed just 10 games in four years at the Kennel before being delisted at the end of 2011 when the Giants picked him up for their inaugural season in the competition.
GWS coach Leon Cameron clearly has plenty of confidence in the journeyman, bringing him in for one of the biggest matches of the season.
“I know I’ve worked hard enough and I know I’m in good form,” Reid said.
“It’s going to be a good weekend for Sydney Football. It’s a sellout game and our 100th in the AFL. We’ve lost the last two against Geelong and Adelaide but not by much, Sydney is in good form so it should be a belter.”
Cameron has also named Ryan Griffen and Tom Downie in an extended squad of 25 for Sunday’s match.
The Swans have lost George Hewett to concussion and have named Callum Mills, Dean Towers, Toby Nankervis and Aliir Aliir in their line up.
Originally published as Giants defender Sam Reid back in frame after almost three years on the outer
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