SYDNEY premiership player Sam Reid has announced his retirement, after suffering an injury setback in the VFL.
Reid had been getting closer to a return to AFL action but an injury over the weekend has ended his campaign.
The 32-year-old informed teammates on Tuesday morning he was retiring effective immediately.
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The 2012 premiership winner has not played at AFL level since the Swans' 2022 Grand Final loss to Geelong.
He ends his career as a 181-gamer with the club, having made his senior debut in 2010 and played 22 games in the club's premiership season two years later, when he kicked a goal from 13 disposals against Hawthorn in the Grand Final. He kicked a career-best 31 goals that year.
Injury setbacks cruelled Reid at stages but his overhead marking and versatility made him a senior regular when available under coach John Longmire.
He played on in 2024 after receiving a one-year deal at the end of last year but had injury issues at the start of this season with foot and quad problems.
The 32-year-old says he was aware as soon as the fresh injury hit that his 14-year career in Swans colours was up.
"I did a decent job of a hammy on the weekend, so I think I knew at the time. Unfortunately, I've got a fair bit of experience with injury.
"My body is trying to tell me something and it’s time to listen and I’m not sure I could trust it if I came back for the last month of the season," he said.
Despite his wretched injury history, John Longmire still viewed Reid as a viable option if needed, in the Swans pursuit of a premiership.
However, the ultimate glory is something Reid was able to achieve, way back in his third season as an AFL footballer in 2012.
"A lot of people say when you win it when you're young you don't appreciate it enough, and it’s probably true to be fair," Reid said.
"It was such a good selfless team, everyone worked for each other, and it feels very similar to this group. Everyone's very close, everyone’s excited for one another when we do things well, whether it's a tackle or a goal.
"That's why I was so desperate to get back, I really wanted to be a part of it and play again with these guys, but it wasn't to be. But I'm really grateful to be a part of this club for such a long period of time."
Reid has always had the strong backing of his coach who he says fought for him to get a new contract for this year despite not featuring in all of 2023.
His strong team-first approach clearly endeared him to Longmire for so long.
"Very selfless. He never made it about him, he'd just go out and do his job," Longmire said.
"It didn’t matter what role you threw him, it was always no problems. A no-fuss player.
"It probably took me too long to throw him into the ruck - I was only ten years too late. But when I look at his 2022 season, what he was able to do as a forward-ruck, that typified what he was able to do. He's been an incredibly valuable player."
It's a premiership medal apiece for the Reid brothers, with older brother Ben playing in Collingwood's 2010 triumph before ending his career in much the same manner as Sam.
"Our careers are so similar, Ben actually retired with a hamstring. We've basically mirrored each other. I've played more games than him and got an extra year than him which he reminded me of, I've got that over him."
But while Ben Reid has now moved into coaching, it's not a path Sam foresees for himself in the future.
Right now, he just wants to enjoy the aspects of normal life with his family and friends that professional sport has taken away.
"I've got a group of mates that go to Japan every February. Just being able to pack up and go skiing, I haven't skiied in 15 years."
