Ben Cousins weighs in on Harley Reid's future amid $20m call
Reid has played his best football in the past month for the Eagles and was their best player in a 49-point loss to Richmond on the weekend, racking up 27 disposals and two goals.
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The midfielder has long been linked with a move back to Victoria once his rookie contract expires, but reports emerged over the weekend that his camp was discussing a contract extension at West Coast worth up to $20 million.
Eagles legend Cousins said on Monday he is hopeful Reid will remain at the Eagles for the long term.
'I don't see any reason why he won't (stay),' Cousins told Mix 94.5.
'I haven't seen anything to suggest why he would leave. He's got so much footy ahead of him that if he puts his head down and makes the most of wherever he is, hopefully West Coast, then there is a lot to look forward to in the future.
'I think regardless of where Harley ends up, if he just focuses on playing good footy, the financial side of things, he's not going to have to worry about.
'He's going to get very well paid.'
Reid wears the No. 9 guernsey previously donned by Cousins, the 2005 Brownlow Medallist and 2006 premiership player, and All Australian ruckman Nic Naitanui.
Journalist Ryan Daniels reported on Triple M a number of options had been presented to the club about what a new deal could look like for Reid.
One contract stipulation is reportedly a 'long-term commitment', news that would be music to the ears of the fan base.
'There's been a bit of a twist in this one because nothing has happened for quite a while and I can tell you the latest with this one is a bit of a strange one because my understanding is Harley's management have put some options to the West Coast Eagles to stay,' Daniels said on Triple M.
'One of them in particular is a very long deal, I don't know the specific number of years but it was described to me as very long as I think you could imagine would be nine or 10-year range.
'It would have to be between 15 and 20 million, and I would say we're heading closer to the 20 million … if you're talking 10 years into the future (salaries will go up in that time).
'I found this fascinating, the West Coast Eagles have had these presented to them weeks ago, and they haven't necessarily done anything with it just yet.
'I just found it fascinating that instead of the Eagles putting the offer on the table to consider all these options … we've now had a conversation 'well what about this?'
'And it's got a potential for Harley to have a look at a very long-term deal that will keep him at the West Coast Eagles and clearly there is some interest from Harley's side.
'That is a pretty significant update on that situation and I know there is going to be a meeting in the next few days between West Coast and Harley's management to discuss the specifics.'
West Coast fans were left frustrated by the heavy loss at home to fellow rebuilding side Richmond, with the Tigers notching up their fifth win of the season.
'West Coast supporters have been, by and large, unbelievable over a really tough period the last few years,' Cousins said.
'I think they still turn up in numbers, they've been very good.
'I think (the loss to the Tigers) may have hit players and supporters harder because it was the first game this year the Eagles went in as favourites, and both sides would have said it was a very winnable game.
'So maybe the expectation was a little higher … and they just fell short. They can and will do better.'
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter, speaking after the club's loss to Richmond, conceded too much was being asked of Reid, at a time where his future remains unclear after next year.
'We're aware we've got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield,' McQualter said.
'It's not an easy position for him.
'I thought Harley was by far our best player … I love the way he went about it.
'I loved his team first approach, the way he attacked the ball. He was inspirational to his teammates.
'As a team, we have to find more people and players and ways to not rely on one person. There's no AFL team ever that relies on one player to be good.
'He's absolutely in (at West Coast) – he is a competitor. He's wanting to do everything to get this club out of this position.'
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