By Rebecca Mills
Today, Sam Reid will run out for his first AFL game with the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS. His opponents will be a team full of people who were there through one of the toughest periods of his life.
At the beginning of 2010, Reid was playing for the Western Bulldogs and was recovering from intricate groin surgery when he was diagnosed with type one diabetes.
The 20-year-old’s whole life changed.
After three years at the Bulldogs, Reid had to learn to manage his illness while he was dealing with the demands of professional football and struggling to cement his place in the senior team.
“It was tough in the beginning but I’ve got it pretty much under control.
“Once you get in to a routine it’s pretty easy to manage. You know what you have to do day to day.
“I had a lot of injuries at the Western Bulldogs and struggled to get a game after that.
“Last year I played the whole year and only got four games, which was disappointing.
Then, the game changed for Reid.
The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS took him as the club’s second uncontracted player from the Western Bulldogs; he packed his bags and joined his best friend Callan Ward at the newest club in the AFL.
“It made things easier for me, having Cal here to come up with.
“We’re best mates and we lived together down in Melbourne. Having that familiarity was good for both of us.
Moving to the GIANTS gave Reid a fresh start and he settled in to the club for his first injury free pre season.
“I had my first full pre season and my body is pretty good; it’s probably the best it’s been for three or four years.
“I was playing pretty well but had a bad game against Richmond and missed out on Round One which was pretty frustrating. It’s taken me this long to get back in.
“It’s going to be a long year and there are going to be a lot of changes often. I’ve got an opportunity so we’ll see how I go.”
The midfielder keeps his cards pretty close to his chest but when asked what motivates him to keep pushing for selection after a number of health set backs, Reid says that it’s the game and the crowd.
“It’s pretty hard to do it but obdviously it’s your dream to play in front of a lot of people and you know that you’ve got to play good footy to get there.
“That’s your motivation, to get to your life long dream of playing professionally.”
Now, Sam Reid and his best friend Callan Ward will run on to the field with their new team mates to take on their old club, a challenge that Reid says the pair can’t wait for.
“I was really hopeful that I’d be in the team to play the Dogs.
“I’m sure there will be a few words thrown around out there. We will cop a bit out on the ground, Cal probably more than me. He thrives on that kind of stuff so he’ll love it.
“I’ve got a lot of good mates there, it’s always great playing against your mates because you go just that little bit harder.”
GWS GIANTS v Western Bulldogs - Round 5
9.25am Gates Open
9.30am UWS GIANTS v Eastlake
1.39pm ANZAC Observance Ceremony
1.45pm GIANTS v Western Bulldogs
4.30-6.30pm Member’s Post Match Function – Eastlake