Reid destroyed Yarrawonga with six goals in Saturday's historic double header at Lavington Sportsground, but was forced to sit out the last quarter with ice on his right knee and left calf.

"Both are a bit sore, I was in hospital three weeks ago on a drip," he explained.

"I had a staph infection and went under the knife and had that cleaned out, so I'm just working my way back to full fitness, hopefully it's not too bad."

In his first game for 55 days after originally rolling an ankle against Wangaratta on April 18, followed by a commitment with former club Collingwood and the month-long COVID break, Reid again showed how he's capable of dominating the competition if his body and circumstances allow.

"I had an infection in my knee from a cut, but it's not the end of the world, there's worse things in life, so we'll be right," he said philosophically.

Despite just the four appearances, the 2010 Collingwood premiership player has made an enormous impact, on and off the field.

He's now kicked 15 goals, which includes being largely lame for the second half against Rovers, where he kicked only one goal.

However, it's his work helping the club's youngsters and approachable nature with the league's tight-knit fraternity which has elevated him to one of its more popular players.

"Ben got a bit of a hit in the back of the leg there (the calf), he's thinking it might be more of a cork than anything," coach Dean Stone suggested in the winning dressing room.

"It certainly didn't 'go', he's walking normally now and Ben has access to the best people (medically), but if he has to have a rest, so be it, but it's not serious, that's the main thing."

In his limited appearances, Reid has already worked up a dynamic relationship with lively midfielder Joe Richards.

The big forward was on the receiving end of some superb passes from the pacy midfielder, while he also claimed a classy one-hand mark against the Pigeons.

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And while Reid sits outside the leading goalkickers - Lavington's Aidan Johnson is 10^th with 17 - he could still challenge team-mate Michael Newton (26) for the Doug Strang Medal.

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