West Coast phenom Harley Reid has admitted personal disappointment surrounding his household was the explanation behind his controversial break final month.
The 19-year-old has taken the soccer wold by storm in his rookie season with the Eagles and has emerged as some of the thrilling skills the AFL has identified in recent times.
Rumours about Reid’s future swirled properly earlier than he was even drafted by the Eagles straight out of highschool — and his refreshingly trustworthy feedback over the weekend have left some footy followers involved.
The No. 1 decide in final yr’s draft, Reid featured in all six of the Eagles’ first video games of the season, however was a shock omission from the crew’s loss to the Suns on the Gold Coast when he was given permission to take a break.
Watch each sport of each spherical this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks throughout play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Begin your free trial immediately >
As a substitute of travelling with the crew, Reid headed residence to Tongala in northern Victoria to see his household.
West Coast soccer supervisor Gavin Bell stated final month the membership’s determination to let Reid take break day was prompted by a necessity to assist {the teenager} “handle his physique and vitality ranges”.
Bell additionally added “household causes” had been behind the transfer.
Reid has now revealed how critical that household subject was, admitting to battling the approach to life of residing on the alternative facet of the nation to the remainder of his household.
Talking on radio after his starring efficiency in West Coast’s shock win over the Demons on Sunday, Reid stated his latest birthday on April 17 had been his “worst birthday” whereas being unable to have fun together with his household.
“In April there’s three of our birthdays,” he instructed the ABC about his household.
“I missed my sister’s, and mine too — I bought to spend that alone. It was in all probability the worst birthday.”
Reid’s journey residence in the course of the season was publicly criticised by a number of greats of the sport, however he insisted it was the best factor to do.
“It was good to get again and I felt like I wanted to see the household,” Reid stated.
“It was good to attach again there with them. Generally in your break day you’d like to drive round and see your loved ones however clearly you’ll be able to’t, so it was good to get a weekend residence and see the household.
“I’m 19, I’ve by no means moved out of residence, so I don’t know any totally different with out my dad and mom round and my household.”
Kane Cornes and Paul Roos had been amongst these to query the Eagles’ determination to provide Reid particular remedy in his first season.
His mini-break was seen by some to be a significant growth as rumours proceed to swirl a couple of potential return to Victoria sooner or later.
Reid has on a number of events gone out of his option to shut down recommendations he’ll look to be traded again to a Melbourne membership, however there has already been public hypothesis some rival golf equipment have been making ready wage cap area to make a play for Reid sooner or later.
Reid’s commonplace AFL rookie contract with the Eagles expires on the finish of the 2026 season and his administration has already been assembly with Eagles officers a couple of long-term contract extension, in line with experiences.
Roos stated lately the Eagles’ determination to grant Reid a mid-season break may have far-reaching penalties.
The Swans premiership-winning coach stated it was “ridiculous” that Reid travelled to the opposite facet of the nation when he was alleged to be attempting to relaxation his physique.
“I perceive giving him the weekend off, however what I’m saying is, the explanation that it turns into tiring for West Coast and Freo is the flights,” Roos instructed the ABC early in Could.
“If he’s not match to play, why is he OK to fly again and see his household? We are able to solely assume that was part of the deal of the recruiting. He’s a No.1 draft decide so that you’re going to bend over.
“I don’t perceive it as a result of he’s an AFL participant getting paid to play AFL soccer and his crew is taking part in.”
Roos went to on to say: “However I perceive that if you wish to maintain the No.1 draft decide (on the membership) and also you’re strategising so he can to again and see his household.
“We shouldn’t be speaking about it as a result of he needs to be taking part in, and 20-30 years in the past he could be taking part in. However now, we’ve bought this ridiculous complexity round free company.
“Let’s not neglect what occurred with Jason Horne-Francis. He performed one yr on the North Melbourne Soccer Membership and bought traded, so the gamers have all the facility now.”
Roos warned the Eagles the membership is at risk of dropping its requirements throughout the board if Reid is given particular allowances.
“It’s not an awesome search for the West Coast Eagles, let’s be completely frank,” he stated.
“In the event that they lose him and sacrifice the requirements on the footy membership, then it’s a lose-lose. The requirements of the soccer membership ought to all the time override a participant each single time.
“That’s to not say it’s not part of the dialogue with the management group, and the management group may’ve stated it’s fantastic, however when you begin dropping your requirements, you stand for nothing.”
Reid is on observe to interrupt AFL data this season and set tongues wagging after lifting the Eagles to their win over the Demons.
Reid impressed his facet with a sensational particular person purpose within the first quarter that had footy followers in awe. That purpose has acquired a nomination for purpose of the yr.
The No. 1 draft decide scooped up the ball from a centre bounce, and sprinted away from Demons star Christian Petracca in the direction of purpose, taking three bounces earlier than nailing the purpose on the run as he handed the 50m arc.
He brutally fended off Dees midfielders Petracca and Clayton Oliver in one other passage of play, displaying his brute energy that’s already his trademark that has earned comparisons to Dustin Martin.
Oliver may solely shake his head in disbelief as he went to shake Reid’s hand after the sport.
Reid leads the AFL this yr for damaged tackles with 29 in 9 video games. Sydney’s Chad Warner is the following greatest with 25 damaged tackles.
Triple M stats guru Ethan Meldrum identified Martin smashed the report for damaged tackles with 83 in 2017, the yr he gained the Brownlow Medal.
On the identical stage of the season, Reid is remarkably forward of the place Martin was within the damaged tackles statistical class and on observe to interrupt the Richmond champion’s mark.
