Key forward Sam Reid is confident he is on top of injury issues that limited him to just eight quarters of football in 2016.

The 24-year-old was plagued with calf and achillies injuries for much of the season which saw him spend most of the year on the sidelines.

Reid is now poised to join his teammates for day one of pre-season training in December unhampered for the first time in three years.

“It was obviously very frustrating and disappointing but I am confident with the work I have done in the back end of the year,” Reid said.

“I should be right to hit the ground running come pre-season.”

Despite not playing a game at the top level in 2016, Reid was close to selection for the finals series as he reached full fitness.

However, a risk was not taken on the 194cm big man as he set sights towards the 2017 season.

“It was a long shot to get back to play but at the very least we were hoping I would be able to get to a point where I had a normal off season which I haven’t had for about three years now,” he said.

“I am now able to do a proper off season program, the same as everyone else has and have no variation to what I do.”

“I will be right to go on the first day of pre-season.”

Not looking too far ahead Reid is simply looking forward to joining in the ball work during the upcoming pre-season campaign.

“To maintain what I have done over the break then make sure I come in day one of pre-season ready to complete a full pre-season,” he said.

“To actually get out on the track and train with the footballs will be a good start.”

“To play some games is obvious but we will just take it as it comes.”