mattys123
4 Nov 2011, 22:39
BEN REID
http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv1/mattys123/BenReidAFLRd5EssendonvCollingwoodQD-JoashoMJl.jpg
Height: 195cm
Weight: 102kgs
DOB: 29.04.1989
2011 senior games = 24
2011 senior goals = 1
2011 VFL games = 0
2011 VFL goals = 0
Ben Reid entered 2011 as one of the players that was destined to have benefited the most out of being a part of the 2010 Collingwood Premiership team. Towards the end of the 2010 season, Reid became a fixture at Centre Half Back for the top side in the competition, and there were little doubts that 2011 would see yet more improvement from the young man from Wangaratta. Reid managed to play every game in the home and away season, before a groin injury robbed Collingwood of one if it's key defenders for the first final against the Eagles, and then he struggled through the preliminary final and Grand Final, clearly showing he was still carrying the same injury, and he was exposed in both games.
http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv1/mattys123/BenReidNABCupRd1TigersvMagpiesuJpYfzlq_-Yl.jpg
But to concentrate on how Reid finished the season would be a massive disservice to the man who was not only nominated in the final 40 for the All Australian team, but was also named as the All Australian Centre Half Back. Think about that for a minute, coming into this season, Ben had played a total of 29 games, and was only 21 years old (turned 22 in April). To say he is one of the best young defenders in the AFL is an under statement, in fact it could be said he is the best young tall defender in the AFL at this very moment.
Reid started the 2011 season like he finished 2010, only better, using his drive and long and accurate kicking abilities off half back to send the side forward on many occasions, and at one point late in the season he lead the league for intercepted marks from opposition kicks. At times he was given tough one on one assignments on some of the games best forwards, while Chris Tarrant settled into his role as the primary full back. But as the season went on, Reid became more attacking, and his drive off half back with the absence of Maxwell, Shaw and Nathan Brown for large parts of the season genuinely helped Collingwood win the minor premiership.
Reid's ability to not only read (no pun intended) the ball off half back, but also to turn an opposition attack around into a Collingwood forward attack, should not be under estimated as far as why the team struggled significantly towards the end of the season. Reid became so important to the setup of the Collingwood backline, especially with the injury concerns around him, that at times in the last 2 games the backline really started to resemble a less then secure unit, which was far from what it had showed for the majority of the 2011 season. Keeping Ben Reid fit and ready should be as big of a concern and concentration for the Collingwood fitness staff as any other individual focus for the 2012 season and beyond, he has become that important in my opinion.
http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv1/mattys123/BenReidAFLRd8GeelongvCollingwoodMuGXnVbtmIAl.jpg
In 2011, Ben averaged 15 disposals and 7 marks a game, and finished 7th in the Copeland trophy voting, an amazing effort in itself for a key defender in such a talented football team. Reid went to another level in 2011, going from a reliable, nice kick off half back who could do a defensive job if asked, to becoming the best attacking key defender in the entire AFL. At 22, there is still massive scope for improvement on so many levels, and with the return of Nathan Brown in 2012, he will only have more support down back then ever.
:thumbsu::D
http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv1/mattys123/BenReidAFLRd5EssendonvCollingwoodQD-JoashoMJl.jpg
Height: 195cm
Weight: 102kgs
DOB: 29.04.1989
2011 senior games = 24
2011 senior goals = 1
2011 VFL games = 0
2011 VFL goals = 0
Ben Reid entered 2011 as one of the players that was destined to have benefited the most out of being a part of the 2010 Collingwood Premiership team. Towards the end of the 2010 season, Reid became a fixture at Centre Half Back for the top side in the competition, and there were little doubts that 2011 would see yet more improvement from the young man from Wangaratta. Reid managed to play every game in the home and away season, before a groin injury robbed Collingwood of one if it's key defenders for the first final against the Eagles, and then he struggled through the preliminary final and Grand Final, clearly showing he was still carrying the same injury, and he was exposed in both games.
http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv1/mattys123/BenReidNABCupRd1TigersvMagpiesuJpYfzlq_-Yl.jpg
But to concentrate on how Reid finished the season would be a massive disservice to the man who was not only nominated in the final 40 for the All Australian team, but was also named as the All Australian Centre Half Back. Think about that for a minute, coming into this season, Ben had played a total of 29 games, and was only 21 years old (turned 22 in April). To say he is one of the best young defenders in the AFL is an under statement, in fact it could be said he is the best young tall defender in the AFL at this very moment.
Reid started the 2011 season like he finished 2010, only better, using his drive and long and accurate kicking abilities off half back to send the side forward on many occasions, and at one point late in the season he lead the league for intercepted marks from opposition kicks. At times he was given tough one on one assignments on some of the games best forwards, while Chris Tarrant settled into his role as the primary full back. But as the season went on, Reid became more attacking, and his drive off half back with the absence of Maxwell, Shaw and Nathan Brown for large parts of the season genuinely helped Collingwood win the minor premiership.
Reid's ability to not only read (no pun intended) the ball off half back, but also to turn an opposition attack around into a Collingwood forward attack, should not be under estimated as far as why the team struggled significantly towards the end of the season. Reid became so important to the setup of the Collingwood backline, especially with the injury concerns around him, that at times in the last 2 games the backline really started to resemble a less then secure unit, which was far from what it had showed for the majority of the 2011 season. Keeping Ben Reid fit and ready should be as big of a concern and concentration for the Collingwood fitness staff as any other individual focus for the 2012 season and beyond, he has become that important in my opinion.
http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv1/mattys123/BenReidAFLRd8GeelongvCollingwoodMuGXnVbtmIAl.jpg
In 2011, Ben averaged 15 disposals and 7 marks a game, and finished 7th in the Copeland trophy voting, an amazing effort in itself for a key defender in such a talented football team. Reid went to another level in 2011, going from a reliable, nice kick off half back who could do a defensive job if asked, to becoming the best attacking key defender in the entire AFL. At 22, there is still massive scope for improvement on so many levels, and with the return of Nathan Brown in 2012, he will only have more support down back then ever.
:thumbsu::D