MURRAY Bushrangers key position prospect Sam Reid will continue a family link at Sydney after being selected by the Swans at last night’s AFL national draft.
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After dominating at the draft camp, Reid, 17, was chosen by the Swans at pick 38 at the draft, one of three Murray Bushrangers selected.
Fellow Bushies Brayden Norris (pick 53, North Melbourne) and Taylor Duryea (69, Hawthorn) were also snapped up, but highly rated Lavington midfielder Dylan McNeil missed out.
Reid’s uncle John played 10 games for the Swans soon after South Melbourne moved to the NSW capital in 1982 and still lives in Sydney.
His father Bruce played more than 100 VFL games with Footscray and Carlton, while his brother Ben is on Collingwood’s list.
Sam last night said he was surprised the Swans read his name out, but was more than happy to be making the move north.
“I’m stoked — but I am a bit surprised it was Sydney that picked me up, because I only spoke to them once, at draft camp, so I thought I might be headed somewhere else,” he said moments after receiving the news.
“I would’ve gone anywhere — I’m happy to head up there, my uncle lives up there, so it should be really good.
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
Last night his mother Kay said she was happy her son would know someone in Sydney.
“It would’ve been nice if both boys were in Melbourne, but that’s just me being a selfish mother,” she laughed.
“Sydney is fine — his uncle John was one of the first batch of Swans players when they moved from South Melbourne and he’s still up there, so at least Sam will know someone.”
Kay said Ben had called Sam from the US — where he is training with Collingwood in Arizona — to congratulate him.
“Ben rang instantly from the US just to say well done,” she said.
“He said he’d been speaking to (Collingwood teammate) Heath Shaw and Heath said (his brother, current Swans player) Rhyce would look after Sam at Sydney, so he’ll know a few people up there.”
