WANGARATTA has landed one of the highest profile recruits in the club's history by luring Collingwood premiership player Ben Reid to Norm Minns Oval.
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The All-Australian has signed a 12-month contract with the Magpies with his friendship with former Bright teammate Matt Kelly pivotal in the decision.
Reid will live in the Porepunkah region.
"I played under-13s with Matty Kelly and a few years ago we said we would like to get together one day when I finished up in Melbourne and play somewhere," Reid said.
"We've had a few chats since then and it's good we were able to do it at Wangaratta.
"The little bald-headed thing, not that I can talk these days, was the drawcard I guess."
The left-footer also has ties with Matt Grossman, Daniel Boyle, Ben Douthie and Michael Newton.
Reid, 31, played a season for Wangaratta Rovers in the thirds and would have been a one-pointer if he opted to return to W.J. Findlay Oval.
The little bald-headed thing, not that I can talk these days, was the drawcard I guess
- Ben Reid
Coach Dean Stone said it had been years since the Magpies had landed a recruiting coup as big as Reid.
"As a football club, I'm not sure how long it's been since the club has signed someone with the profile of Ben," Stone said.
"It's rare these days that blokes come straight from league football to the country.
"Back in the early days they did this.
"It's unbelievable for the footy club and even the broader community.
"There have been some quality players come into the league like Miles (Anthony), Taylor Hunt and Dawson Simpson and it strengthens the Ovens and Murray brand.
"Hopefully when this COVID-19 stuff is over we can get some decent crowds to games.
"We want to see as many young kids to our games as possible to see a really good player in Ben Reid."
Ron McDonald was one of Wangaratta's biggest signings when he joined the Magpies in 1961 after topping Richmond's Brownlow Medal votes two years earlier.
Former Geelong best and fairest Ray Card is another big-name.