Collingwood youngster Reef McInnes has returned to pre-season training in "career-best form" with extra size as he looks to break into the Magpies' rearguard next year.
McInnes was trailed at both ends of the field in 2024 after falling in and out of the senior side, playing nine games at AFL level for a return of 13 goals.
The end of his season saw McInnes utilised in the backline for the Magpies' reserves, where he was able to use his athleticism and aerial prowess behind the ball.
Since returning to training for 2025, the Collingwood NGA graduate has linked up with Craig Mcrae's defensive cohort full-time, with the Magpies hopeful he can have a breakout season down back.
Less than a month into the new training regimen, McInnes has turned the heads of his teammates as "one of the best trainers" this summer.
Teammate Brayden Maynard said it's been exciting to see the forward-turned-backman show promise in a short time.
"It's good to see Reef get some consistency back," Maynard said at the launch of Nitro Circus' 2025 tour down under.
"He sort of got thrown around a bit this year, so for him to sort of cement his spot at training in the backline is great to see.
"He's training the house down and has come back in career-best form. I feel like he's put on some size. He's really fit.
"He's probably one of the best trainers at the moment, which is great."
McInnes new role comes amid sweeping changes at Olympic Park, with headline recruits Dan Houston and Harry Perryman also leaving their mark in rapid fashion.
The duo will likely float between the defensive and midfield thirds of the field, with Maynard hoping to have both recruits by his side on McRae's last line as much as possible.
"They've brought a lot," he said of Perryman and Houston.
"The most important thing is that they're good people. They're great blokes. Yes, they are very good footballers, but they're great people. They bring a great culture. They fit in really well.
"I don't select the team but I'll happily have them both in the backline. They've fit in really well. What happens with what position they get put in is up to the coaches, but I'd like to have them both in the backline."
As for Maynard's own pre-season, the All-Australian has been battling with a foot issue that hampered most of his 2024 campaign.
Having managed his workloads since the end of the Magpies' recent campaign and throughout the early stages of the club's pre-season program, the 28-year-old is confident the worst is behind him.
"My foot's going alright. It's getting towards the back end of the whole recovery process," he said.
"It's been a bit of an annoying one. I had it most of this year, last year or this year, this season, so I'm just trying to get it right.
"I had plantar fasciitis. Very, very frustrating for those who've had it, but with the more physio work and treatment that I've gotten and managing my loads through the early parts of pre-season, I've been able to get it to a position where I can train more."
Collingwood's pre-season is set to get underway on February 20 with a three-club match simulation session involving Brisbane and Gold Coast, before a Community Series clash a week later against Richmond.
The Magpies' 2025 season officially gets underway with a trip to face GWS at Engie Stadium on Sunday, March 9 as part of the Opening Round draw.
Nitro Circus have announced the Australian leg of their "Off the Rails" world tour commencing October next year, covering Adelaide, Melbourne, Townsville, Gold Coast, Wollongong, Newcastle and Parramatta.ย
