THE SYDNEY Swans are trialling tall forward Sam Reid and wingman Lewis Jetta in new backline roles in an effort to make their line-up more flexible in 2015.
After losing free agent Nick Malceski to Gold Coast at the end of last season, the Swans have earmarked Jetta as a potential replacement running off half-back, where his pace and penetrating kick can be an asset.
The 196cm Reid, meanwhile, who kicked 17 goals in 20 games last season, could add height to a backline that will be led by Ted Richards (192cm) and Heath Grundy (192cm).
Both Reid and Jetta played backline roles in the Swans' intra-club match in Coffs Harbour on Wednesday morning, impressing coach John Longmire.
"Part of this pre-season is to develop the players in different positions," Longmire said on Wednesday.
"We don't want to be too stationary in the way we line up every week.
"We want to make sure our team continues to be flexible and keep educating those players in certain positions.
"We think Sam and Lewis today certainly showed some terrific signs in that back half."
Reid lined up on star forward Lance Franklin, who trained with a heavy bandage on his right knee to prevent soreness after a troublesome run with the joint in 2014.
Longmire said he hoped moving Reid into the backline through the pre-season would give the 23-year-old the same benefits he enjoyed training opposed to champion North Melbourne forward Wayne Carey in the 1990s.
"Even when you go back and play forward yourself to learn some of the tricks of the trade is always valuable," the coach said.
"It's something that I know I used to enjoy doing when I was playing as a forward, to be able to go down back in the pre-season and learn off one of the best forwards in the game.
"I was [pleased with what I saw]. Lance obviously still gets a bit of the ball, but it's about where he gets it and Reidy's body work was good."
Longmire was keen to move on from the disappointment of last year's 63-point Grand Final loss to Hawthorn, saying: "we're into 2015 now and that's what we're focused on".
He was pleased with the intensity shown by the club's first and second-year players, singling out rookie Lewis Melican as one draftee who had grasped the game plan quickly since joining the club.
"The second-year players have developed again, so there's no doubt they'll get opportunities in those early NAB Cup games," he said.
The Swans will be in Coffs Harbour for their Community Camp until Friday.
