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Sydney Swans photo sparks concerns ahead of AFL grand final

Sam Reid (pictured) on the bench during a Sydney Swans game.
Sydney Swans will give Sam Reid (pictured) every chance to play this weekend after scans allayed fears of a serious injury. (Getty Images)

A photo showing Sydney training with Sam Reid has sparked hope for Swans fans, but the injured star didn't participate in the match simulation only days out from AFL grand final.

Reid and Justin McInerney both trained with the Swans behind closed doors on the SCG on Thursday in a bid to be named in the grand final team against Geelong later in the day.

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Veteran forward-ruck Reid looms as a key player against the Cats but faces an uphill battle to be selected after being substituted out of the preliminary final at half-time with an adductor injury.

Seven reporter Mitch Cleary claimed Hayden McLean's selection in the match simulation could be seen as a selection hint for the grand final.

With news trickling through on Wednesday that Reid only suffered an abductor strain, there has been hope the star ruckman could take part against the Cats.

"We've been confident all week. He was a bit sore throughout the game so we didn't want to take any risks," Swans assistant coach Jarrad McVeigh told reporters.

"He's played in a few grand finals before so he understands the pressure and the week that comes with it all.

"Obviously you want to be flying at 100 per cent but he's recovered really well, so we're really happy with the way he's progressed."

Many fans have been calling for Reid to be named in the squad, regardless, to give him every chance to play in the grand final.

Swans confident Justin McInerney will play

Emerging key forwards Hayden McLean and Joel Amartey will be considered for a grand final berth if Reid fails to get up, with prized ruck recruit Peter Ladhams suspended.

The Swans are more confident McInerney will play in his first grand final, with the midfielder joining their main training session of the week on Thursday.

Swans head coach John Longmire (pictured) during Sydney Swans training.
Swans head coach John Longmire (pictured) has a choice to make on Sam Reid before the final. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

McInerney rolled an ankle in the fourth quarter of the preliminary final against Collingwood and sat out training on Tuesday.

Geelong's major injury query is over speedster Max Holmes, who strained his hamstring last week against Brisbane.

with AAP

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