Darcy Moore knows better than most about Ben Reid’s readiness for his surprise AFL return.
The Collingwood forward will be back for Saturday’s preliminary final against GWS at the MCG.
Reid has been out of action since round 15 with a calf injury and then he hurt his hamstring during rehab.
He looked highly unlikely to play any part in the finals.
But Tyson Goldsack first talked up Reid’s prospects late last month and earlier this week, Moore was also certain that his teammate would be ready.
“He’s in a great position to come in and have an impact for us,” Moore said.
“He’s had a couple of weeks now. I obviously play on him (in training) and I know better than anyone.
“Reidy’s moving so well and he’s played some great footy for us this year.”
Apart from having Reid as a training opponent, they are also great mates and have spent far too much time together over the years slaving through injury rehab.
Reid has had a shocking run with leg injuries and Moore also has suffered through seven hamstring strains.
Moore also went through a similar scenario to Reid last month when the key defender was recalled for the round 23 win over Essendon.
Again, there was plenty of talk around whether Moore was ready.
That speculation went through the roof when he went off in the last quarter with hamstring tightness.
But Moore was outstanding in the qualifying final win over Geelong, taking some massive marks in the last quarter as the Cats pressed.
“It can be frustrating at times, when things get beat up like that or portrayed in a certain way,” Moore said.
“I know in myself, I was super calm, super relaxed. I just felt like ‘Yeah, it was a bit tight’ – it was obviously a huge step up in intensity playing an AFL game.
“I know my body and I know how good my preparation was. Shock horror, I was able to play against Geelong and I was fine.”
The Cats game was also Moore’s first final, a year after another hamstring injury sidelined him as the Magpies went within one kick of the premiership.
“There are always a few guys who are going to miss out and have that heartbreak, hopefully it never happens again,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a perfect economy. Guys come in and guys go out and we just make it work.
“It takes a whole list to win a premiership. Injuries are part of it and as much as it’s hard and stressful, you’re only one person in a team.
“To be a part of that, that’s where the excitement is.”