Ben Reid had a breakout season in 2017 but he is set to reach new heights in his second season with the VFL Cats.

Reid played all 18 games with the Cats last season and finished runner-up in the club’s best and fairest. 

Despite the lofty standards set by the humble defender, he believes he can go to another level in 2018.

“I definitely haven’t played my best footy yet I don’t think, so hopefully this year I can put my best foot forward and have another consistent year,” Reid said.

“I was very surprised (to be runner-up in the B&F), I had a very slow start in my opinion and have a lot of improvement left in me.” 

Despite taking time to find his role in the side, the coaches persisted with Reid after being impressed by his commitment in the preseason. 

Reid had been invited to train with the Cats after a best and fairest winning season with the Murray Bombers but was still living in Echuca and had to make the long trip to and from Geelong for training sessions.

This highlighted Reid’s desire to play at VFL level before he was given a contract by the Cats and able to move down to Geelong.

“It was just about proving myself and making sure I got a spot on the list and I did that,” Reid said.

“Last year I was always traveling down but this year has been a lot more settled and I pretty much haven’t missed a session.”

Reid wasn’t alone in having a sluggish start to the 2017 campaign, with the Cats managing only three wins from the first nine rounds of the season. 

Shane O’Bree’s side would ultimately miss the finals on percentage but Reid believes the Cats are primed for a better showing in 2018.

“Going off our form late last year we are in good shape going into the start of this season,” he said.

“It was very disappointing just to miss out on finals but towards the back end of the year we grew a lot as a team, won close games and hung around for the full four quarters.”

The Cats’ chances of a successful turnaround have also been enhanced with the recruitment of some more seasoned players with state level experience. 

Reid believes the likes of Luke Kiel, Dean Gore, Jordan Keras and Sam Siggins will prove to be significant for the development of the Cats’ youngsters whilst their talent will lift the team to greater heights. 

“Hopefully this year with recruiting more senior guys who have played this standard of footy, we can help the young AFL draftees,” Reid said. 

“A lot of guys who haven’t played VFL footy before are still learning the game plan but those experienced guys pick it up a lot quicker so having those guys is invaluable.”

Whilst Reid himself has only been at the Cats for one season, he has established himself as a leader amongst his peers and was voted into the leadership group for the upcoming season.

His experience playing in various state leagues including the SANFL and the NEAFL has provided Reid with a wealth of experience and with one season under his belt at the Cattery, he is a deserving member of the Cats’ leadership team.

“Even though I’ve only played one year of VFL, my age and the amount of footy that I have played means that I have to show some of the younger guys how to train, prepare and teach the game plan,” Reid said.

“Obviously, you don’t expect (to be named in the leadership group) but I think if I wasn’t in the group I wouldn’t change the way I try to lead.

“Even though you have that tag, you still have to act the same way and not go changing everything you do.”

Whilst Reid has achieved numerous accolades over his short career, his ultimate goal is to earn a place on an AFL list.

Watching his older brother, Greater Western Sydney’s Sam Reid, get picked up as a mature aged player has also motivated the 25-year-old to chase him dream.

“I think I have something to offer at an AFL club but there is a lot of hard work that has to go into that,” Reid said. 

“(Sam) is the fittest he’s ever been and at 28, he is sort of having a reverse career so if I can take something out of his career and try and do something similar, that would be great.

“At the moment, I am just concentrating on playing consistent VFL and the rest will take care of itself.”

The VFL Cats will kick off their 2018 campaign with a series of practice matches beginning on March 11.