The Pioneers scored an impressive third-round win against Tasmania Devils and will face 11th -ranked Gippsland Power at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo at 10.30am on Sunday (April 16).
Sitting third on the ladder after three rounds coach Danny O’Bree said he was happy with the team’s 38-point win, built on the back of a seven-goal second term.
The Pioneers won the match 14.13 (97) to Tasmania Devils’ 8.11 (59).
Reid was best afield in the win, collecting 25 possessions, having seven clearances and kicking two goals.
He will play with the Tarkyn Lockyer-coached AFL Academy team in a 4pm Saturday slot at Mount Barker, immediately after the Brisbane and North Melbourne game.
The AFL Academy, made up of players from throughout the nation, will play Port Adelaide’s SANFL team in the twilight fixture.
Reid will fly out Thursday and return on Sunday, visiting the Adelaide Football Club facility before attending the Fremantle and Gold Coast match.
O’Bree said his star centreman was back to his best against Tasmania at the weekend.
“His running was a lot better and there are signs he is going to improve every week,” O’Bree said.
The Pioneers coach said the Devils looked a little bit different because of the amount of 19 year olds they played last year.
The Devils knocked Bendigo out of the finals last season.
O’Bree said he was still unsure where his team sat in regard to its status in the competition, but this week would be a really good indicator.
“I have a lot of respect for Gippsland. They have some super talent and they play fast,” he said.
Apart from Reid the Pioneers have a couple of forced changes for this week, with O’Bree saying he had been impressed with the Goulburn Valley element of the team.
Echuca United Oliver Poole, key forward Hugh Byrne and another Echuca player Tom Evans (both from Echuca) are all going well for the Pioneers.
Mitch Dodos moved from centre half back into the ruck in the last quarter of the game against Tasmania and O’Bree said he was improving as the game continued.
Harley Reid said he was enjoying having so many familiar faces around him in the Pioneers squad.
“There are quite a few from this region. Tom Evans boards at Xavier, so we will lose him, but he has done really well as a bottom age player,” he said.
Reid has also been impressed with the form of former Pioneers teammate, and another Echuca player with Kyabram family ties, Noah Long.
“I didn’t really expect him to play round one, but he has been doing well and hasn’t missed a beat,” Reid said
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