RETURNING defender Ben Reid and midfield recruit Daniel Wells had a hit-out with Collingwood's VFL team against local outfit Vermont at the Holden Centre on Wednesday night as they ramp up preparations for the upcoming season.
The match simulation was a competitive hit-out for Reid, who sat out last week's intraclub match and will miss Thursday night's opening game of the JLT Community Series against Essendon as he recovers from knee surgery.
Although Reid is understood to have only participated for about half of the game, it was another positive step for the All Australian who played 17 games last year after two injury-riddled seasons.
Wells played part of the intraclub match last week as part of his preparation and took part for a limited time in the hit-out against Vermont.
The skilled veteran is tracking well as he adjusts to his new home after 243 games with North Melbourne.
He played 19 games last season and the Magpies have set their sights on having him in good shape for the round one clash against the Western Bulldogs.
The duo weren't the only senior-listed players to hit the track against Vermont with Josh Thomas and Adam Oxley also taking part.
Vermont is coached by Collingwood staff member and assistant coach of the Magpies' women's team Harmit Singh and takes part in the Eastern Football League.
Former Melbourne player Jared Rivers is coaching Collingwood's VFL team in 2017 after former coach Dale Tapping joined the Brisbane Lions' coaching panel.
