Ben Reid, a member of the 2010 premiership team with the Collingwood Magpies, will return to the field after signing with a Victorian team for the 2025 season.
Last playing in the AFL in 2020, Reid appeared in 152 matches for the Magpies between 2007 and 2020, in which he played a key part in leading the team to three Grand Finals in 2010, 2011 and 2018.
A member of the 2011 All-Australian team, the 35-year-old has joined East Brighton Football Club for next season after being a player-coach with the Wangaratta Magpies for the past few seasons.
Reid's decision to link up with East Brighton coincides with him earning a new coaching role with the Western Bulldogs, reuniting him with Luke Beveridge.
The son of former VFL/AFL defender Bruce Reid and older brother to Sydney Swans premiership-winner Sam Reid, Ben kicked 73 goals throughout his career and also earned an AFL Rising Star nomination after being drafted with the eight pick in the 2006 National Draft.
"After 152 games with Collingwood FC and a transition into coaching the powerful Wangaratta Magpies in the O&M FNL, we are very pleased to welcome Ben Reid to the Vampires," East Brighton Football Club shared on social media.
"A lifelong friendship with our multi-premiership captain and new president, Ben Douthie, made it an easy decision for Reidy to choose to play for the Vampires, alongside his new coaching role with the Western Bulldogs.
"Please join us in welcoming Ben, his wife Erin, and their young son River."