SAM Reid continues to blossom as an AFL forward and prove a steal from the 2009 national draft, playing a starring role in the Sydney Swans' thrilling one-point loss to Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Reid had 15 possessions and five marks and kicked three goals in a remarkable contest that ended when Adam Goodes missed a kick after the siren in the Bombers' 15.10 (100) to 14.15 (99) victory

A NAB AFL Rising Star nominee this year, Reid has played all 18 matches in 2011 and kicked 17 goals.

Rather than tiring towards the end of a long campaign, Reid is improving every week and proved a major handful against the Bombers.

Picked at No.38 overall in the third round of the 2009 draft, his former coach Paul Roos admits the Swans never expected him to still be available when they made their selection.

"He was a steal. He was a mid-range second-round, third-round draft pick and was certainly a steal at that," Roos said during commentary for Fox Sports at the Essendon game.

"I know all the recruiters say they're always surprised when a player is a certain pick, but we were genuinely surprised he was still there at such a late pick."

Since Barry Hall's departure, and with Daniel Bradshaw cruelled by injury before retiring earlier this year, the Swans have been searching for another dominant key forward.

Reid is only 19 years old, but at 195cm and 91kg and with great hands and athleticism, he has all the tools to develop into a top-shelf AFL forward.

Current Swans coach John Longmire is a big admirer of the blond teenager.

"He's a 19-year-old kid playing centre half-forward, it's not a bad effort what he's been able to do this year," he said.

"We expect him to finish off the year strongly.

"He's improving all the time and I’m sure after another summer and more development he'll be even better.

"It's exciting for us to have a player like that coming through.

"He can play, the kid."