AFL 2022: Resurgent Sydney Swans forward Sam Reid reveals how he revived his career after fearing it was over

Sam Reid was one of the last Swans to sign a contract last year and there was a point he feared his career was over, but now he’s preparing to play a key role in the finals.

Sam Reid’s career will extend into next year after playing an important forward-ruck role this season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Sam Reid didn’t know what he was going to do.

He hadn’t downloaded the Seek app on his phone but was concerned his 12-year AFL career was suddenly over, especially when the Swans traded for big man Peter Ladhams.

A rush of young key forwards were emerging at Sydney, and one of them – Hayden McLean – took his spot in round 23 and kept it for the finals.

After 163 games and only two months shy of turning 30, Reid was at the crossroads.

Facing his football mortality was “confronting” but the veteran swingman was spared the axe, signing one of the Swans’ last contracts in the final few days of October.

That was only the start of Reid’s revival as an AFL footballer, which will now also extend into next year after signing a fresh deal this week.

“My first couple of contracts were pretty long term, so I was very lucky I wasn’t faced with that experience until I was 29, whereas other guys go through that very early in their careers,” he told News Corp.

Sam Reid has played an important role in the Swans’ success this year. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I wasn’t sure I was going to get another year and it came down to the wire a little bit with when I signed.

“It’s nice to get (a new contract) locked away before the end of the year and I’m keen to go around again and grateful the club backed me in last year.”

Reid’s journey to his new 2023 deal began with him spending last summer training as a defender, effectively competing for a spot with Paddy McCartin, who was trying to secure a rookie contract.

Sydney felt his best chance of playing was down back, given Ladhams’ arrival and with McLean, Joel Amartey and prized top-five draft pick Logan McDonald clamouring for a tall forward spot alongside Lance Franklin.

But McCartin thrived so much as an interceptor that he demanded a round 1 spot, leaving Reid to start in the VFL and scrap for opportunities.

“Paddy just blew me out of the water and absolutely owned that spot and he’s done incredibly well this year,” Reid said.

Sydney’s Sam Reid will play on next season after securing a new one-year deal. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I think it’s probably worked out for the best. But a few weeks in, I wasn’t getting regular gigs and was going back and forward and I probably didn’t handle it as well as I thought I would have.

“So, we made a decision that I’d play forward.”

Reid played only three senior matches in the first 10 rounds but an injury to Tom Hickey opened the door – and it’s never shut since.

The 30-year-old kicked three crucial goals and had eight hit-outs playing as a forward and relief ruckman as the Swans scored a thrilling six-point victory over Richmond at the SCG.

A week later, Reid kicked three goals again and laid 10 tackles in a stunning upset of reigning premier Melbourne.

Not every game since has been as prolific as that fortnight but he’s stayed in the team and made Sydney’s list management crew look like geniuses for postponing his retirement.

Sam Reid, competing in the ruck against Adelaide’s Reilly O’Brien, revived his career this season after a long wait last year to score a new contract. Picture: Getty Images

Reid wasn’t ready, anyway.

Firstly, he hadn’t figured out what post-football life would look like – he finished a diploma in building construction but insists he’s “absolutely not” a handyman – but he also felt he had more to give.

“It has been a little bit different to previous seasons and I sort of made the shift mentally to just really try and enjoy whatever it was, whether it was VFL or AFL, so be it,” Reid said.

“I wanted to make sure I was enjoying footy as much as I can, at whatever level it is, and I think that’s helped me and simplified things and I’ve really enjoyed this year.

“Hopefully, it’s an exciting month coming up.”

That mental transformation owes to various factors.

While his contract drama played out last year, Reid, his wife Kim, son Saxon, now 3, and newly born daughter Harley, who turned one two weeks ago, were in the process of moving home to Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Sam Reid has held off younger teammates to maintain his spot in Sydney’s senior side. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It’s now a “refreshing” 45-minute drive to and from training that makes him feel like he is on holiday every time he walks in the door.

Then there are the kids.

“Being a dad certainly forces you to switch off from footy. Our three-year-old is wild and I’m constantly chasing him around,” Reid said, laughing.

“Our one-year-old’s just started to take a few steps, so in no time we’re going to have to re-baby proof the house and get all the stairs locked off, but I really enjoy it.

“It’s a great escape from footy and adds another dimension to what you’re playing for, when you’re playing for your family and the opportunity that playing footy gives to them.

Sam Reid is enjoying his football as much as ever. Picture: Getty Images

“As intense and hard as this job is, we do have really good hours. It allows me to spend a lot of time with my family, which is another big reason I want to keep playing.”

With his longer-term future now secured, Reid is focused on what is immediately in front of him and the Swans: another MCG date with Max Gawn and the Demons in a qualifying final.

He was part of the club’s 2012 premiership and sees similarities with that squad in the way the current side is willing to sacrifice for one another.

“I’m at the other end of the spectrum now. I was 20 years old and we’ve made finals so often in the last 25 years, so you think it’s just a given, but it certainly isn’t,” Reid said.

“It’s really, really hard to get there. That team, as many stars as there were, everyone was so good at playing their role. I think that’s a really important thing for a premiership team.”