THE SYDNEY Swans have revealed their plan to convert Sam Reid into a swingman this season and hope that he can develop into their own version of Geelong star Harry Taylor.
With Lance Franklin added to a forward line that already contains Kurt Tippett, Adam Goodes and Gary Rohan, how 22-year-old Reid will be used has become a talking point heading into the new season.
He has been the Swans' starting centre half-forward for the past three years, but coach John Longmire is keen to utilise Reid's versatility.
"He's flexible and he can play at both ends and I think that's how we're going to end up using him," Longmire said during the Swans' pre-season training camp in Coffs Harbour.
"We've seen that with some other players in the competition that they can swing forward and back; there's his brother (Collingwood's Ben Reid), there's Harry Taylor.
"As a kid I've seen him play down back, I've seen him play in the ruck, but I've also seen him play a lot of footy for us at centre half-forward.
"At that size and that speed, he's a really important player that we can put anywhere."
Taylor was named the All Australian centre half-back last season, but also showed an ability to drift forward and kick goals at crucial times.
He finished with 15.9 for the year, booting five goals against the Western Bulldogs and three against Port Adelaide, leading to Geelong victories.
The 196cm, 96kg Reid has similar athletic traits that could see him succeed at either end of the ground.
He is currently on the comeback trail from injury, with a recurring quadriceps problem ruining the second half of last season.
However Reid is nearing full fitness, taking part in some of Wednesday's intraclub match, and Longmire has no doubt he could handle a move into defence.
"You'd like to settle your back six down in a general sense, but with the limited interchange (coming in), you've got to have some flexibility," he said.
"The ability to swing players forward and back is important. Gary Rohan is another one, as is Lewis Roberts-Thomson.
"At different times we'll throw (Reid) down back … and I'm confident he can play at both ends really well."
There were a number of standouts during Wednesday's session, held at the impressive C.ex Stadium, which had been measured out to exactly match the dimensions of the SCG.
Nick Malceski, Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn continued their excellent pre-seasons, while Dane Rampe, Toby Nankervis and Harry Marsh were some of the youngsters to show good signs.
There remain a number of Swans yet to resume full training, however, including Goodes, Tippett, Franklin and Roberts-Thomson.
Having sat on the sidelines since injuring his knee in round 13 last season, Longmire concedes there is some doubt about Goodes' return date, but he knows well not to write off the Australian of the Year.
"I've learned my lesson not to question Goodesy," Longmire said.
"I questioned him in the 2012 Grand Final (when he hurt his knee), about whether he was able to keep playing, and he was able to do it.
"He's got a really good feel for how he's going, so I just let him go. He knows how to prepare himself really well.
"Last year before he was injured, he was playing some of the best footy of his career.
"Against Collingwood (in round nine) he had 30 possessions and kicked three goals and looked as though he was playing with that speed and power that he used to at his best.
"If he gets his knee right, the rest of him is in pretty good shape. I'm just hoping that works out, but we don't know."
The Swans' training camp continues with a skills session and weights on Thursday morning, before they head out for school visits and a children's clinic.
