The Echuca Murray Bombers have gained a massive addition to their defensive unit for the 2021 Goulburn Valley League season with Reid returning to his former club.
Reid last lined up for Echuca in 2016 before becoming a key contributor in Geelong's VFL side.
Reid, 28, said he couldn't be happier to return to his home club, particularly after community football was abandoned this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It means a great deal to come back,” he said.
“This club has meant a great deal to me through my life, developing me as a young footballer into the player I became to the point where I was able to take that next step.
“Having the year out of the game has been tough for everyone, but it's really motivated me to come out and play some of my best football going forward.”
Having played in a senior side which struggled to make finals, Reid hopes his experience will play a key factor in pushing Echuca to go one better than last year's result of runners-up in the grand final to Kyabram.
“The club has put themselves in a position to be really competitive,” he said.
“There is a fantastic young group at the club who have become a great side, and I'm really excited to contribute to that.
“I'm lucky that I can step back in now and hopefully have an impact both on and off the field, using my experience to help develop the young guys into better players and hopefully having a big impact on the field.”
Echuca co-coach Andrew Walker said the club was delighted to welcome the defender back.
“We are super excited to have Benny back,” Walker said.
“We remained listed as his home club for a few years of his run at Geelong, and we have regularly spoken about this, so we're so excited to have him back home.”
Walker said Reid would bolster an already strong defensive unit.
“What we think he adds most to the way we play is some leadership and experience,” he said.
“With his VFL experience he will sit really well into our style. We play a team defence.
“It's not the job of the back six to look after the forwards. It's all of our responsibility, and it requires serious voice and communication from all players, but particularly your leaders.
“Ben has that experience. He reads the play so well and he can be the eyes of the backline and how we need to set ourselves, but on top of that his ball use is incredible.
“His foot skills are elite which will really help us to set in how we move the ball with our game plan.”
Walker said returning a long time talent to the club would also be a massive cultural boost.
“It's always inspiring for young players to see guys of that calibre coming into the side,” Walker said.
“I've seen that impact, but I also know how much it impacts them to see new faces with that experience.
“We have some great players around that area of the ground who can use him as a mentor not only as a player but as a person too.”
10°C