McQualter claims bitter losses won't deter Reid from staying

Perth Now

2 days ago

West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has shot down suggestions disappointing defeats such as the 49-point belting at the hands of fellow battlers Richmond will deter star Harley Reid from staying at the Eagles.
Reid was at his influential best in the first half with 20 disposals, five inside 50s and six clearances before the Tigers sent Jack Ross to curb the No.1 draftees' influence.
The 20-year-old went forward in the last quarter to kick two of their three goals for the term, but his teammates couldn't replicate his impact in the middle as they were blown away in an eight goal to one third term.
Reid is out of contract at the end of next year and is yet to accept a range of extensions on the table from West Coast as Victorian clubs still hold out hope of luring him back east.
Asked if continued heavy defeats would deter Reid from remaining at the Eagles, McQualter said: 'I think if you see Harley, the way he's invested — he's absolutely in and he's a competitor.
'He's wanting to do everything to get this club out of this position.
'Nobody likes losing, I appreciate that part of it. We're all sick to death of it to be honest, but we're the only people that can change that. It's the people inside the four walls that can get us out of here and we have to do it together.'
McQualter praised Reid heavily for his game, saying he was 'by far our best player tonight'. Harley Reid of the Eagles celebrates a goal. Credit: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos / via Getty Images
'I loved the way he went about it and loved his team-first approach, the way he attacked the ball. He was inspirational to his teammates, I loved the way he went about it,' he said.
'We're aware we've got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield. It's not an easy position for him. We're need to help; we're going to work hard to give him help.
'We did a few things in the last quarter to give him a couple of different looks and he's fighting his way through.'
West Coast are now all but destined to claim a third wooden spoon in their history and could finish with only one win for the season for the first time in their history.
'We're seeing a team and a group, they're trying, they're working hard but they're clearly just in such a void of confidence,' McQualter said. Harley Reid of the Eagles looks dejected after the loss. Credit: Daniel Carson / AFL Photos
'You look at the first quarter tonight and it was a pretty dominant quarter of football, but we go into quarter time down on the scoreboard and I think it's hurting deep in the souls of our players.
'It's a tricky position that we're in that we're showing signs, we're getting better and we're playing some good football but we're not getting rewarded for that on the scoreboard which is ultimately what we play for and what we're judged on.'