In a frightening prospect for rival Ovens and Murray clubs, coach Dean Stone has the luxury of playing Reid playing alongside Michael Newton and Josh Porter.

"I think predominantly he will play as a forward," Stone said.

"I'll certainly as a coach communicate with him about where he feels most comfortable but I'd say it will be mainly forward.

"With Michael Newton, Josh Porter and Ben Reid, you have three unbelievably experienced forwards with an average height of 195cm so it's going to be pretty hard to contain all three.

"Ben finished his career as a forward at Collingwood but he was a 2011 All-Australian centre half-back so he can obviously play both ends."

The Magpies are confident the drop in intensity from the AFL to Ovens and Murray will help Reid's body after he managed just two senior matches this year due to soft tissue injuries.

"At the moment he's 100 per cent injury free and, with a good two or three month rest from the high intensity which he's come from, his body will really enjoy that," Stone said.

'"Obviously the speed of the game and the training loads will be good for him as well.

"I can't see why he couldn't play for two or three more years at Wangaratta which will be fantastic.

"He's lean and looks unbelievably fit.

"He is continuing to do his fitness work without running a lot but he's doing gym stuff and I think you just become accustomed to that healthy lifestyle."

Reid, 31, is living near Porepunkah and has signed a one-year contract with the Magpies.

Wangaratta is also in the mix to secure retired Collingwood defender Lynden Dunn.

Dunn has been approached by clubs around the country with Stone saying the Magpies were reluctant to put pressure on him.

"I've had correspondence with Lynden this week but to be brutally honest I've been leaving him alone," Stone said.

"He's been away from his family and I think the respectful thing to do is give him time with them.

"He and 'Juice' (Newton) are best mates and they are communicating all the time.

"We will leave him alone for a month before touching base again."

Wangaratta is better placed than most clubs to secure further firepower after using only 28 of its 38 points in the 2019 grand final loss to Lavington.

Former coach Luke Morgan was three points and has since departed.

Wangaratta will start training on November 17.