Magpies may turn to veteran to counter GWS

Injury-hitcollingwood forward Ben Reid will attempt to prove his fitness this week in a desperate bid to be picked for Saturday’s preliminary final.

The Magpies face their biggest selection call of the year when they consider pulling the trigger on Reid or swinging Jordan Roughead forward for the cut-throat clash against GWS Giants.

Reid, 30, hurt his hamstring in July, prompting fears the 149gamer’s career was over.

But the left-footer has trained solidly over the past two weeks and put in a strong showing in somematch simulation at the club on Friday, to re-enter the selection frame.

The Pies need a second marking target to replace Jordan De Goey, who returned home to Melbourne yesterday after a whirlwind trip to Germany to see a world-leading soft-tissue specialist.

The Magpies maintain slim hopes he can recover in time for the grand final if they can overcome Greater Western Sydney on Saturday at the MCG.

Football manager Geoff Walsh yesterday said De Goey would consult with club doctors today about the next step in his recovery.

“He got back this morning and we will see what happens,” Walsh said. “The medical staff will have a look at the full report and they will go from there.”

Reid has played well in his seven appearances this year but hurt his calf in theround 15 loss to North Melbourne and then “nicked” his hamstring the following month.

“Over the past two or three weeks he has completed a strong block of training,” Walsh said. “And he was up and going and doing all right in the match simulation, so physically he’s OK.”

The Pies will consider bolstering their attacking marking options to counter the aerial brilliance and marking power of gun GWS defenders Nick Haynes and Phil Davis, who reeled in nine intercept marks between them againstbrisbane.

— Jay Clark