SOPHIE GANNON: Why Harley Reid should not sign a long-term, $20 million deal to stay at West Coast Eagles
I don't think he should do it.
In fact, I think it might be time for him to follow Jason Horne-Francis' lead and, as he so aptly put it to the Port star, 'go back to mummy' by returning to Victoria.
The latest twist in the Reid saga is that his management and the Eagles are considering an 11-year deal — beginning with a two-year contract and the potential to extend for another nine — that would see the 20-year-old star paid $20 million.
And, in what should be music to Eagles fans' ears, Reid and his family have made it clear they do not want the teenager to go to a struggling club in Victoria like St Kilda or Essendon, according to The Agenda Setters' Caroline Wilson.
But while he may not want to move to another sinking ship, how long is he prepared to stay on the one he finds himself at the wheel of already?
As it stands, West Coast are a mess. A historically bad mess.
I don't blame Reid if he's impatient to play in a competitive and relevant football team. After all, he entered the league in a truly unique circumstance.
He was a household name six months before being drafted and the most recognisable person in Perth at the age of 18. He's had to put up with more than anybody else in the league. And for what? Six wins in his first two years.
And with rumours continuing to swirl around Reid going to Hawthorn — a club on the rise that oozes the same brash attitude that is Reid's trademark — they loom as the most obvious destination for a player reportedly keen to join a team that's not mired in a long rebuild.
The Hawks are reportedly willing to offer Reid a contract of eight to ten years at $1.7 to $1.8 million per season, making them his most likely landing point if he leaves Perth.
In February, Reid was pictured sharing a laugh with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell at ex-Eagles star, now Hawk, Tom Barrass's wedding, which had tongues wagging that Reid was already being fitted out for his brown and yellow jersey.
So if Reid can get pretty much the same money at Hawthorn for the same period, why would his management put forward the idea of a long-term deal for their star client to stay at a club that has only won one game this season, sits last on the ladder, and doesn't have a quick fix coming?
If history is anything to go by, the Eagles' rebuild is likely to take a decade. If Reid wants to follow Patrick Cripps's example and wait until he's 28 to play his first final, then he should stay an Eagle.
But I just can't see that happening. There are some young superstars who may have the temperament to see out a rebuild this brutal.
It's clear that Reid is not one of them.
He is a fierce competitor. We know this. We've known since the first day he stepped onto an AFL field. He plays right on the edge—and often goes over it.
It's when he plays his best, when the lights are brightest. Problem is, the Eagles aren't going to be playing when the lights are brightest in September for a long time.
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said after their loss against Richmond that Reid carries their midfield—a clear message to the rest of the team that also puts more pressure on Reid.
Reid, like Horne-Francis, is at his best when he's pushing the boundaries, as their recent fiery battle showed. But Reid's passionate approach on the field is only turning into frustration.
Champion Data recently revealed that Reid was the lowest-rated player in the AFL over the last six weeks prior to Round 19 — not because he is the worst football player, but because of turnovers and 50-metre penalties.
For a player with his talent and ability, this is outrageous. It is clear that the football environment in WA is getting the worst out of Reid, despite a season-best game against the Power this month.
This season he has already racked up 54 free kicks against — the most of any player — and in his 38-game career, he's been fined 13 times.
I know Eagles fans won't like it, but Reid doesn't owe them a career. He came, gave them hope, and provided a spark few of his teammates have been able to make the most of.
The club is not in the state to foster his generational talent. It looks as if it's burning it out.
A long-term deal holding Reid to the club for most of his career is probably not in his best interest, and he may want to be traded a few years into it. So West Coast are probably best to cash in his trade value this off-season.
It just might be the right time for Reid to go home to mummy.
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Perth Now
29 minutes ago
- Perth Now
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The Advertiser
3 hours ago
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Frederick's third goal stretched the margin to 35 points early in the third quarter, but a magical running goal by Harley Reid helped keep West Coast in the contest. Fremantle dominated the rest of the quarter, but their wasteful return of 1.6 meant the half-time margin was only 22 points. The Dockers' wobbles continued early in the third quarter as West Coast cut the margin to 18 points, before Fremantle finally found their range to blow the margin wide open. "I think the scoreboard flattered us probably for a fair chunk of that game," West Coast coach Andrew McQualter said. "I think you saw a Fremantle team hungry, in a position where they're going to be fighting for finals, and their class probably just overwhelmed us." Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young has showcased what a weapon he will be in the club's AFL premiership push as the Dockers brushed aside West Coast by 49 points in a fiery western derby clash. 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Michael Frederick kicked a career-high four goals, Andrew Brayshaw racked up 32 disposals and eight clearances, while rising star Murphy Reid (23 disposals, one goal) tallied a whopping 15 score involvements. Four-time Glendinning-Allan Medallist Serong had to work hard for his 20 disposals and eight clearances under a tight tag from Brady Hough. For West Coast, defender Reuben Ginbey kept Josh Treacy goalless from nine disposals, Tim Kelly found form with 26 disposals, eight clearances and two goals, and Harley Reid (15 disposals, three clearances, two goals) battled hard amidst the boos. Reid limped off in the dying minutes with an ankle injury after being crunched in a tackle by Karl Worner. The win keeps Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four, while West Coast (1-18) have lost nine on the trot and are headed for their second wooden spoon in three seasons. 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7NEWS
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