Harley Reid fighting Gold Coast Suns players, future at West Coast, Andrew McQualter, video latest news

An AFL great has implored Eagles young gun Harley Reid to focus more on his footy and not get “distracted” by unnecessary byplay out on the field.

The former No. 1 pick had some forgettable moments in West Coast’s season-opening 87-point loss to Gold Coast where Reid’s frustrations seemed to get the better of him.

It included Reid appearing to flop after drawing minimal contact from Charlie Ballard in a contest in the first half. The Eagles prodigy also mouthed off with some Suns players at half-time — when the 19-year old had four disposals.

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The second-year player finished with 12 disposals and a goal in Sunday’s Optus Stadium game.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s The First Crack, Kangaroos legend David King wanted to see Reid more locked in on games and helping his team win instead of engaging with opposition players.

“He’s not focused on just his football game day. He’s a brute and we’ve seen him do some things already in this early stage that just shift games and rip momentum. We need to see more of that,” King said.

“He just seems to get distracted so easily in conversations with players, he’s keener on a fight than he is to play footy.”

An AFL great has implored Eagles young gun Harley Reid to focus more on his footy and not get “distracted” by unnecessary byplay out on the field. Source: FOX SPORTS

An AFL great has implored Eagles young gun Harley Reid to focus more on his footy and not get “distracted” by unnecessary byplay out on the field. Source: FOX SPORTS

It comes with Reid’s future again a talking point amid speculation he could pursue a move back to Victoria at season’s end, despite being contracted until 2026.

“There’s a big discussion about this man’s future. You just wonder, there’s been questions if he’s happy in the west,” chief Herald Sun reporter Jay Clark posed on The First Crack.

“He’s contracted until the end of next year of course, but it’s going to be an ongoing conversation. That sort of stuff is interesting.

“He will be a target for other teams.”

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It was indicative of West Coast’s performance as a whole in a disappointing first outing for new coach Andrew McQualter.

The Eagles were dominated in several areas including a particularly dour first half, losing contested possessions (-25), clearances (-17), inside 50s (-23) and scores (-45).

King described it as “embarrassing at stages” and “made you question if West Coast was really invested,” putting the acid on their experienced midfield group including Tim Kelly.

“I’m sitting them down and saying: ‘I understand where you’re at in your footy life. But we need you to be absolutely manic to help these young kids develop and get some sort of success going. If you can’t do that and you need a break, go to the WAFL or sit out for a bit. Because we’ve got to get on with this rebuild, it has to take shape quickly’,” the Roos great added.

Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna was also concerned by West Coast’s first showing for 2025, calling for its midfield to lift.

“It looked like a midfield group and team that were dog hungry and desperate to make a statement in Round 1 away from home, and a team just playing,” he said.

“West Coast need to take a have a good hard look at the names they put in the midfield. There are some names that have reputations, but they need to stand up because Andrew McQualter is relying on his senior players in particular to help out this young group.”

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