COLLINGWOOD fans shouldn't pin their hopes on seeing top draft pick Jordan de Goey in round one, although skipper Scott Pendlebury won't rule it out.

Selected with pick No.5 overall in last year's NAB AFL Draft, the teenager excited fans on debut against Hawthorn in the Magpies pre-season opener.

A four-quarter contribution from de Goey included 11-of-12 effective disposals and a long set-shot goal.

"He played well in the first NAB Challenge game, and he's certainly impressed since he's come down to the club," skipper Scott Pendlebury told AFL.com.au on Thursday. 

"At the same time, you don't want to put too much pressure on him.

"He's a great young kid, he's doing everything right and the way he's going, he's definitely a chance for round one.

"We just need him to come in when he's ready and play his role.

There will be a genuine contest for spots in the Magpies' senior side come the season opener, the skipper said. 

"It's pretty hard," Pendlebury said. 

"I know personally, just sitting down and trying to work out our best 22, it's really competitive, and there's not many guys in spots that are locks.

"I feel that over the NAB Challenge we'll work through and get closer to seeing that round one side."

Big man Ben Reid continues to make progress, having been to Germany for specialist treatment. 

The forward was restricted to just four games last season due to soft tissue injuries. 

But Pendlebury said Reid's journey to visit to Bayern Munich medico Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt had paid off. 

"He (Reid) has certainly been doing all the training since he's got back from Germany, and speaking to him he said he does feel a lot better and a lot more confident in his body,” said the Magpie captain.

The Magpies play Carlton in Bendigo on Sunday in their second NAB Challenge match and face the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in round one of the home and away season.