THE resurrection of Greater Western Sydney forward Sam Reid, version 3.0, is complete.

Reid has been picked to play in this week's Sydney Derby against the Swans at Spotless Stadium, in what will be his first senior game since round 15, 2013, and his first appearance in his third stint on an AFL list.

The 26-year-old played 10 games with the Western Bulldogs from 2008-2011 and 14 for the Giants in their first two seasons in the competition, before persistent shoulder injuries forced him into early retirement shortly after that loss to the Dogs.

He then took up a development role at GWS and captained their NEAFL side, where he planned to build his credentials and move into coaching, but his footy ability ruined that career path.

Without the pressure of the AFL, Reid kicked 54 goals in his two years out of the league and was plucked from obscurity by coach Leon Cameron via the 2016 rookie draft.

Reid told AFL.com.au in February that playing senior footy again would be "the ultimate", and now, the Queenslander's remarkable journey back to the big time is actually a reality.

"You just gave me bloody goose bumps talking about it to be honest," he told AFL.com.au on Thursday.

"First it was getting put back on the list last year and thinking Leon (Cameron) was taking the piss.

"Then it was getting elevated (to the senior list), now I'm playing in what might be the first sold out derby and the 100^th game for the Giants.

"I don't know, what do you say?"

You'd think that Reid's phone would be ringing off the hook this week ahead of his comeback game, but an unfortunate set of circumstances means that his nearest and dearest will be watching from afar.

"Well it's a funny story because it couldn't be worse timing," he laughed.

"My brother has been picked for Vic Country and he's training on Sunday and can't make it up here.

"I rang my old man earlier this week and told him I might be a chance to play and he can't come up, and my missus is going back to Melbourne on Friday for her Dad's 60^th birthday, so she's not going to be here either.

"I'm trying to rent a crowd if I can do that somehow because I've got some tickets to give away.

"It's just one of those things I suppose, what can you do, it's just how it's worked out."

Reid has starred in the NEAFL again this season; he's eighth in the league's MVP voting after booting 24 goals from eight games, which has him equal second on the goalkicking table, and has averaged almost 20 possessions and five tackles per match.

Minor hamstring and ankle injuries over the past month have tested his resolve, but after being named as an emergency and even travelling with the senior side to Adelaide a fortnight ago, his form has been impossible to overlook.

The Giants' forward line has struggled for potency over the past fortnight in losses to Adelaide and Geelong, and Reid says he's been picked to cause havoc with his tackling and hardness against the Swans.

"I think we've been lacking a bit of forward pressure at ground level," he said.

"We've got some big blokes up there and they bring it to ground a lot, so we've been getting beaten on the ground balls inside 50.

"That’s what I'll be there to do.

"I'll be the one tackling and hopefully 'Stevie' (Steve Johnson) and Toby (Greene) can kick the goals.

"If I'm causing a couple of turnovers and they're getting the goals then that’s my role."

Reid will be hoping the Giants can arrest their two-game losing streak and terrible record against the Swans – they've won just once in nine Sydney Derbies – and it will be a moment to savour if the home side does get the points.

All of the 14 games he's played for GWS have resulted in defeats.