Sydney Swans veteran Sam Reid is firming as an unlikely piece of Sydney's remarkable premiership push in 2022, claiming he wants to play football as long as his body will permit.
"I’ve always thought that as long as my body holds up and I feel like I’m still keeping up with the game then I’ll continue to play," Reid said.
"But once I feel like I can’t keep up or I’m slowing right down then it’s probably time.
"At the moment, I’m feeling good. I feel like I can still match it with guys in the AFL. As long as I can do that, I'll continue to keep pushing to play."
Reid has strung seven games together since Round 11 this season - his longest streak in two years - and has scored nine goals from his 10 outings for the Swans in 2022.
But the 30-year-old is becoming a key component of Sydney's premiership push, having embraced a somewhat new role in the side.
He's played in various capacities, including equally memorable and important three-goal performances in Sydney's recent wins over Melbourne and Richmond, while he was the best afield a fortnight ago with a game-high 19 contested possessions, 13 tackles and 25 hit-outs against the Western Bulldogs.
"Different role this year… wasn’t exactly planned just the way its rolled out," Reid continued.
"It has been enjoyable... I've tried to keep it simple and provide a contest."
Having been dropped from the side on the eve of the 2021 finals, the Swans nearly cut him loose at the end of that season, with a stack of young talls waiting in the wings at Sydney.
Reid's seemingly imminent departure would ease the selection decisions and offer insurance for fellow talls Logan McDonald, Joel Amartey, Hayden McLean, Paddy McCartin and Peter Ladhams.
"I'm trying to keep my spot really because it's a really hot competition for spots, particularly for key forwards this year... Logan McDonald had a really good game last week," he continued.
"It's a good problem to have... (there's) lot of pressure coming from underneath.
"I’ve probably done more training this year than I have done my entire career and I’m in year 13... so (it's) a little a bit different, but I’ve been able to build resilience that way.
"(I'm) feeling good and looking to finish the year strong."
Tackles in the 3rd quarter of the #AFLSwansDogs game
8 - Sam Reid
8 - The Western Bulldogs— Swamp (@sirswampthing) July 8, 2022
Coming off a gritty come-from-behind win over the Dockers in Perth and a thumping victory over the Western Bulldogs at home the week prior, Reid pointed towards the side's sustained pressure as key to running over in-form sides and maintaining consistent performances.
"The last two weeks in particular our pressure game has lifted quite a bit (and) we’re able to keep more time in high pressure during the game than not," he continued.
"Whereas in the past when we’ve lost we’ve had high pressure for periods then dropped away.
"They (Fremantle) got a jump on us early... so there’s still areas to improve."
But losses to Essendon and Port Adelaide in the past five weeks - two sides the Swans were largely expected to defeat - have at times puzzled the red and white fans over their side's consistency this season.
"We’re still obviously looking forward to continuing consistency in games and week to week. We’ve only won three in a row once this year," Reid said.
"It's really clear that when your pressure drops you drop on the scoreboard as well. So we need to keep our pressure as high as possible and we’ve been able to do that the past two weeks.
"Adelaide will be a great test because they have the highest pressure in the comp."
Reid would not be drawn on Lance Franklin's contract situation and potential departure from the Swans when quizzed on the veteran's future.
"He’s pretty relaxed around the club, he’s very good with whether it's a first year (player) or a captain, he’s very approachable and he’s one of the boys," he continued.
"We’re hoping he stays.
"He’s a great player you want great players at your club”
The Swans face Adelaide this Saturday afternoon (1:45pm) at the SCG.
