RICHMOND beware – West Coast players will have Harley Reid’s back if the Tigers attempt to go after the young Eagles star in Saturday night’s cellar-dweller clash at Optus Stadium.
Reid produced his best display of the season in last week’s 26-point loss to Port Adelaide, tallying a team-high 27 disposals and six clearances to go with a goal.
But the performance didn’t come without controversy, with Reid fined $6250 for a kick-trip on Travis Boak that Essendon legend James Hird said deserved to be a three or four-week suspension.
Reid’s heated battle with Port star Jason Horne-Francis was also a big talking point.
The young Eagle reportedly sledged the Port star with words to the effect of “go back to mummy, you left after one year”, in reference to Horne-Francis lasting just one season at North Melbourne before seeking a trade back to his home state of South Australia.
It came a week after Reid was physically targeted by Greater Western Sydney players during his heated battle with star Giants midfielder Tom Green.
Young Eagles midfielder Clay Hall said he and his teammates would have Reid’s back in Saturday’s clash with Richmond.
“We’re the same age, and to watch how much he cops it on the field and then off the field as well in terms of media, it’s a little bit unfair at times.
“So we’ll support him as much as we can. He’s one of my best mates around the club.”
Reid has given away a whopping 52 free kicks across 17 games this season, and he has now been fined 13 times so far in his 37-game career, as well as copping a two-week ban for a dangerous tackle last year.
West Coast coach Andrew McQualter is doing his best to encourage Reid to maintain his intense competitiveness while playing within the rules.
“We’re not playing everything out publicly with Harley.
“I know there have been some things that have been a bit of a distraction and take away a little bit from his game, and we acknowledge that, and he acknowledged that last week.
“But he’s actually playing some pretty strong football at the moment.”
If West Coast (1-16) is any hope to avoid the wooden spoon, they must defeat 17th-placed Richmond (4-13).
The Eagles have recalled midfielder Tim Kelly following his one-week stint in the WAFL, while Liam Ryan and Jack Petruccelle are the other inclusions, with Elijah Hewett rested.
