Sydney legend Bob Skilton says out-of-form key forward Sam Reid shapes as an AFL grand final game-breaker for the Swans.
Reid had just four possessions and spilled several easy marks in a goalless display in Sydney’s preliminary final victory over Collingwood.
But Skilton, 73, has tipped Reid to return to form against Hawthorn on Saturday at the MCG.
“Reid’s been quiet but I think he’s been building in the last part of the year,” Skilton said.
“He’s only 20, he’s probably two years away from being at his best on a regular basis but I’ve got the feeling he’s just as likely to come out and kick us five on Saturday.
“It would be massive for the team and could lift them over the top.”
Skilton, a triple Brownlow medallist (1959, 1963 and 1968) and captain of the Swans team of the century, has backed his old club to win its second flag since relocating from South Melbourne to Sydney in 1982.
But he said Sydney must control Hawthorn’s in-form midfielders.
“We can’t afford that group of onballers to dominate,” he said.
“We need to be able to count on our ability to win the ball and keep possession.”
Skilton said All-Australian Josh Kennedy was Sydney’s best hope of winning the midfield battle, and laughed at the irony of Kennedy looming as the main threat to his former club.
Kennedy, the grandson of legendary Hawthorn coach John Kennedy and son of four-time premiership player John Kennedy jnr, was traded by the Hawks in 2009.
“He wasn’t getting a regular game, but I know it was still hard for him to make the decision (to leave),” Skilton said.
“His father told me Josh’s hardest job was to drive to his grandfather’s house to tell him.
“I don’t think he was all that happy about it but since then Josh has been terrific.”
AFL great Ron Barassi coached the Swans in the mid 1990s and believes the 2012 team have what it takes to beat the minor premiers.
“They’ll retain a lot of inner confidence from the strong season they’ve had,” he said.
“They’ll need everything going for them but I reckon they might do it.”