Harley Reid is the name on everyone’s lips, with the Tongala talent expected to line up for the Eagles to make a round-one debut.
Reid has logged an impressive pre-season with West Coast after being taken with the number one selection in the AFL draft, with his performance in the Eagles’ latest pre-season outing showing all of the hallmarks of a budding superstar.
Coach Adam Simpson’s belief in his star recruit was on full display in that game, with Reid lining up in the middle for the first centre bounce before switching between the midfield and halfback, while also showing his forward craft at various stages throughout the match.
Reid ended the day as one of the Eagles’ best players, with his composure and physicality reminiscent of an AFL veteran.
The local export won several clearances, bursting out of packs with power, while also registering a behind among his 20 possessions.
The number one pick received plenty of attention early from the Crows but held his own, engaging in a tussle with Adelaide’s Rory Laird after being caught in a heavy tackle, while laying a number of strong tackles to impose himself physically on the contest.
With West Coast having won just three games last season and finishing on the bottom of the ladder, 2024 shapes as another tough year, with a challenging start to its campaign.
The Eagles face 2023 finalists in three of their first four games, with the only opponent they face in that stretch that didn’t feature in September being the Western Bulldogs, who finished ninth.
But Reid and Echuca export Noah Long, who is now entering his second year in the professional system, are part of a young brigade out west looking to make an impact.
Simpson told media ahead of round one that the young group coming through had changed the vibe at the club, which has won just five games in two seasons, as the Eagles looked to climb out of the bottom two this year.
“It’s different, there’s a different feel at the club. The locker room has changed with some of the youth coming through and the way the new leaders have held themselves,” Simpson said.
“The ‘belonging’ piece is really strong, so I think they can be themselves at the club, and when you’re young, you’re just different, there’s less things in your life that get in the way of footy.
“They hang around longer, the immaturity has lifted and I think we all appreciate it. It’s been a good vibe.”
Harley Reid is set to debut against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval this Sunday at 4pm AEST, with the match broadcast on Fox Footy and Kayo.
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