SYDNEY Swans key forward Sam Reid looms as this year’s most attractive tall free agency target as clubs sweat on a $2 million boost in the salary cap.
The Victorian-born swingman has enjoyed the best start of his injury-marred career this year and remains out of contract at season’s end.
Reid, 25, has produced career-best results in goals (2.2), score involvements (5), marks (5.4) and disposals (14) over the first five rounds.
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Rival clubs including Richmond and Collingwood are searching for an established key forward and are waiting on an the AFL and the Players’ Association to confirm an expected 20 per cent increase in player payments as part of the protracted CBA negotiations.
The Tigers lost big man Tyrone Vickery to Hawthorn last year and key prong Ben Griffiths is battling a concussion problem, while Collingwood remains heavily reliant on third-year spearhead Darcy Moore.
Richmond is also circling Brisbane young gun Josh Schache but the Lions are confident he will stay under new coach Chris Fagan.
Sam Reid is a free agent at the end of the year.
Brisbane youngster Josh Schache.
Reid’s management is expected to meet Sydney officials about contract talks next month, but the 196cm swingman is in no rush to sign after an injury-ruined 2016.
Reid did not play a single game last season due to a troublesome Achilles injury but is confident he has put those problems behind him, completing a full preseason.
This year’s free agency pool is headlined by superstar midfielders Nathan Fyfe and Dustin Martin, leaving Reid and Port Adelaide’s Jackson Trengove as the top key position targets.
Reid has repeatedly said he was happy to stay in Sydney, citing there was “not really any reason for me to look elsewhere”.
However, a lucrative and long-term offer from a Victorian rival could yet tempt the prized marking target to return home.
Industry sources said a fully-fit Reid was worth more than $650,000 a season.
Collingwood's Ben Reid outmarks his brother, Sydney’s Sam Reid. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Reid’s brother, Ben, told the Herald Sun last year he was keen to play alongside his sibling.
“He loves it up in Sydney, but I would love to play with him, no doubt,” Ben Reid said.
Sydney may be unable to afford another high-priced goalkicker, with star duo Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett reportedly sharing in almost $2 million a year between them this season.
The Swans have also had to factor in significant pay rises for young stars Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills and midfield superstar Daniel Hannebery, who has finished top-five in the Brownlow Medal in the past two years.
The AFL abolished Sydney’s controversial cost of living allowance (COLA) which permitted the Swans just shy of an extra $1 million in its salary cap until this season.
The Swan can walk to the club of his choice under free agency rules in October after serving eight seasons in red and white.
A free agency move could secure Sydney a second-round compensation pick, depending on the terms of his deal at a new club.
Sydney has endured its worst start to a season in 23 years and will attempt to secure its first win of the season against Carlton at the MCG on Saturday.
4th round pick. Let's do a Bond/Packer buy backNow that it looks like we are in our Premiership window, maybe we can trade Lids back in. ....
Nah we dont need any forwards more Mids please and mids that win the ball going forward but cant kick or run backwards.
Gun
Finally a man (I assume
) with a plan. He has looked great every time I've seen him and he will be cheap as well and can ruck. Perfect! Your thoughts Bishop?
Funny you say that, When watching the replay, I instantly thought about Prestia and Caddy when Caddy kicked the sealer. You can tell Caddy loved it, it appears he loves the attention, but I wish the camera had have caught Prestia at the same time. I imagine he would have just had a look around with the Biggest smile on his face!
Doubt Prestia would have faced a bigger crowd while up in the GC in total.
No team would except Batchelor as part of a trade. He'll be delisted.
Gun well worth 500k on a 4 year deal
Im just going by Dear's jlt form and he looked really potent in the games i watched, If its Himmelberg then thats fine but im of the thought that Shane is 28/29 and not really going to be a need and if we can cash in his value in a trade for a player that will fill a need then im all for it
