An element of added stability surrounds a Collingwood round nine team set to take on Geelong at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The inclusion of Ben Reid is the only variation to the 22 that defeated Brisbane at the Gabba, with Ben Sinclair departing due to concussion.

Reid’s return from a shoulder injury is one that will bolster a Magpies’ defence preparing to clash with dangerous Geelong forward Tom Hawkins.

Hawkins kicked two goals, but was held to just eight disposals when the Pies and Cats last clashed in round 22 last season.

For Sinclair, 2016 continues to prove frustrating year.

The 24-year-old has already missed two games this season with injury, and now faces the prospect of another week on the sidelines.

“He’s still got a bit of a problem with that concussion,” director of football Neil Balme told Collingwood Media’s ‘Team Sheet’ on Thursday.

“He got a slight knock at training today… he’s not feeling quite right and we’re a little bit concerned about it,” Balme said.

“We’ll take the conservative option and not play him.”

Saturday’s clash with Geelong will come with added significance for vice-captain Steele Sidebottom.

The midfielder will play his 150th AFL game when he takes the field against the Cats.

Sidebottom has a colourful array of accolades since beginning his career at the Magpies in 2009.

He played in a premiership in just his 36th game and has since placed in the top five on Copeland Trophy night every year since 2012.

After winning an ANZAC Day Medal in round five against the Bombers, Sidebottom will now look for Collingwood's fourth victory of the season to coincide with his 150th game.

Collingwood v Geelong
Saturday 19 May
MCG
1.45pm

COLLINGWOOD TEAM

IN: Ben Reid
OUT: Ben Sinclair (concussion)

B: Jack Frost, Ben Reid, Brayden Maynard
HB: Adam Oxley, Alan Toovey, Jeremy Howe
C: Travis Varcoe, Adam Treloar, Steele Sidebottom
HF: Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore, Jesse White
F: Alex Fasolo, Mason Cox, Jarryd Blair
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury, Taylor Adams
Int: Levi Greenwood, Jack Crisp, Ben Crocker, Josh Smith
Emg: Jarrod Witts, Jonathon Marsh, Matthew Goodyear

GEELONG TEAM

IN: George Horlin-Smith
OUT: Tom Ruggles (omitted)

B: Lachie Henderson, Tom Lonergan, Corey Enright
HB: Mark Blicavs, Harry Taylor, Andrew Mackie
C: Steven Motlop, Joel Selwood, Cameron Guthrie
HF: Shane Kersten, Zac Smith, Cory Gregson
F: Jimmy Bartel, Tom Hawkins, Daniel Menzel
Foll: Rhys Stanley, Mitch Duncan, Patrick Dangerfield
Int: Jed Bews, Josh Caddy, George Horlin-Smith, Darcy Lang
Emg: Billie Smedts, Nathan Vardy, Tom Ruggles