Sydney Swans coach John Longmire comes out in defence of Sam Reid Swans coach John Longmire has come out in support of Sam Reid. Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has defended Sam Reid, and believes the key forward and livewire Lewis Jetta will improve their form. SWANS coach John Longmire says out-of-form power forward Sam Reid still has the full confidence of Swans teammates as a key forward target despite a clear drop in his supply from the midfield. Longmire yesterday launched a strong defence of the 21-year-old, saying his defensive output remains extremely important in the club's strong start to their premiership defence. Having signed with the Swans until the end of the 2017 season on a rare five-year contract extension, it is Reid's marking and goal-kicking ability - not defensive intensity - that has created headlines, recently for the wrong reasons. Statistics provided by Champion Data show Reid is being favoured as a forward line target less in 2013 with the Swans looking for other options. The Swans targeted Reid entering their forward line 4.9 times a game last season but only 2.6 times a game this season. "Sam's been getting his hands to the ball, he's just been dropping a few marks," Longmire said. We've been working on his marking. He's a 21-year-old key position forward who still does a lot right defensively. His defensive work has been really good. We understand he needs to get better at taking some of those marks and taking those opportunities when they get presented to him. It certainly makes a difference to the team when he's able to clunk a couple and go back and kick some goals. He'll get better. He's a 21-year-old kid playing the toughest position on the ground. I think he'll get a bit better and keep working on it. What you don't see is the work he does defensively that really helps us. That doesn't get blown up in lights much. Reid has become one of the top defensive players in the game in 2013, one of the competition's leading key position players in forward pressure. He is ranked equal 11th in the AFL for tackles in the forward 50. It is one of the reasons Longmire yesterday ruled out any chance of Reid facing a green substitutes vest when the Swans take on the Brisbane Lions at the SCG on Sunday.