Sam Reid facing AFL Grand Final heartbreak in Sydney Swans drama
The Sydney Swans could be forced to make the first change in four games after Sam Reid remains doubtful to play in the AFL Grand Final after leaving the field on Saturday night with an abductor injury.
Sydney repeated history, winning through to the AFL grand final with an epic one-point preliminary final win over Collingwood on Saturday.
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In front of a heaving capacity crowd of 45,608, the Swans rushed through a Collingwood behind in the last few seconds to secure the 14.11 (95) to 14.10 (94) win.
Reid was instrumental in helping Swans jump out to a halftime lead, but not long after the break he was subbed off.
Coach John Longmire wasn't ready to rule out Reid for the AFL Grand Final, but the signs are worrying for the Swans.
"It's not relevant at the moment, it's just after our game," Longmire said.
"I don't deal in the what-ifs an hour after the game. Let's wait and see."
Reid's absence took its toll on the Swans with the home team struggling to maintain momentum as Collingwood surged back into the contest.
"Losing Reidy forward of the ball was a bit of an issue, so we didn't have that marking power that gives you that confidence to go forward sometimes," Longmire said.
"It's just an adductor, so don't know. It's too early to know."
Reid joins young Geelong midfielder Max Holmes as the injury concerns ahead of next Saturday's clash at the MCG.
The 30-year-old has come into form in the second half of the season and has been the preferred back-up ruck option to Tom Hickey.
The Swans will look at Joel Amartey and Hayden McLean if Reid is ruled out.
Amartey is the more likely entry having played Rounds 17 through to 20.
Sydney Swans in AFL Grand Final
Sydney's only other preliminary final at the SCG was a one-point win over Essendon in 1996 - the start of the Swans' current era that has featured two premierships and now seven grand final appearances.
"I'm OK - it's just a prelim final by a point," coach John Longmire deadpanned post-match.
The Cats will start favourites next Saturday, particularly given they cruised to a 71-point win over Brisbane, they have the extra day to prepare while Sydney and Collingwood belted the hell out of each other to the death.
But Longmire said the Swans will be ready.
"We'll be OK. It was a pretty tough blowout, right to the last two seconds. We covered it well, we'll be OK," he said.
The Magpies, who have become the AFL's cardiac kids this season with a string of close wins, looked shot in the third term when they fell six goals behind.
But they kicked four goals to one in the last quarter to nearly do it again.
Coach Craig McRae left his players alone post-match for a few minutes, saying he was worried his emotions would get the better of him.
with AAP
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