COLLINGWOOD fans will hold their collective breath this weekend as swingman Ben Reid plays his first competitive game of the pre-season – in a VFL practice match.
Reid, who has endured a horror run of soft-tissue injuries in recent times, including a calf problem sustained before Christmas, will make an appearance for the VFL side against Geelong at Simonds Stadium at noon on Saturday.
The 2010 premiership star's game time will be modified as part of a carefully managed return to the game that included treatment in Germany. The 25-year-old has been training solidly for several weeks.
Pies ruckman Jarrod Witts will also play after overcoming a shoulder injury, while three-time premiership star Steve Johnson will feature in the Cats side.
"That'll be the first game for the two of them. The fact that it's VFL means that they've probably got modified time, but they're certainly in the game, which is good news," Collingwood football manager Neil Balme told the club's website.
Balme said the Pies are "in a very good position at the moment" in terms of personnel, a far cry from litany of injuries that contributed to the club missing the finals last year for the first time since 2005.
Lachie Keeffe tweaked a hamstring last week but it is regarded as only a minor issue.
Paul Seedsman (hip), Darcy Moore (toe) and Jonathon March (hamstring) are close to being available.
Clinton Young (hamstring) is still several weeks away, while Matt Scharenberg and Brent Macaffer – both of whom are coming back from knee reconstructions – are further off.
Blame said prized 2013 draftee Scharenberg is ahead of Macaffer in his recovery.
Pies premiership players Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan, Travis Cloke and Jarryd Blair will play their first NAB Challenge games of the year against Carlton in Bendigo on Sunday.
