Young Star Harley Reid Shows Remarkable Maturity Amidst Opposition Tactics
West Coast Eagles’ young gun Harley Reid is rapidly evolving into a formidable force in the AFL, a development that veteran teammate Elliot Yeo has lauded, particularly in light of the physical attention Reid is attracting. Yeo has described the burgeoning partnership between himself and Reid as akin to the iconic duo of Batman and Robin, highlighting the 20-year-old’s impressive composure and resilience when facing aggressive tactics from opposing teams.
In the Eagles’ significant upset victory over North Melbourne last weekend, Reid delivered a career-best performance, amassing 30 disposals. This stellar outing was instrumental in ending West Coast’s 14-game losing streak and provided a much-needed confidence boost for the club. Beyond his statistical achievements with the ball, what truly impressed observers, including Yeo, was Reid’s mature handling of physical targeting.
The former number one draft pick found himself on the receiving end of several late tackles and off-the-ball bumps from the Kangaroos, who appeared intent on disrupting his flow. Despite these provocations, Reid remained focused and contributed significantly to the Eagles’ hard-fought win. His ability to absorb the pressure and continue playing his brand of tough, effective football without resorting to ill-discipline or retaliatory free kicks has been a standout feature of his recent performances.
“Harley was huge,” Yeo commented. “I thought he played a real team-first-orientated game, real tough. They went hard after him. They kept hitting him after the play, and he just kept knuckling down and just played good, hard, tough football and didn’t give away too many silly (silly free kicks), which was unbelievable. It just shows that he’s maturing as a footballer and as a person.”
Yeo’s own absence for the entirety of last season due to a significant ankle injury had, at times, left Reid exposed to opposition taggers. However, with Yeo now back to full fitness and performing at a high level, the potent combination of the two players is back in full swing, reminiscent of their early synergy in 2024.
Yeo’s Resurgence and the Eagles’ Squad Updates
Elliot Yeo’s return has been a significant boost for the West Coast Eagles, both in terms of on-field presence and leadership. His own form has been impressive, with the midfielder kicking four goals in his two appearances this season. A particularly memorable moment came in the North Melbourne match, where Yeo slotted a crucial set shot from the boundary line just as the three-quarter time siren sounded.
“I flushed it. It felt good. As soon as I kicked it, I thought, ‘hello, we’re on here’,” Yeo recalled. “It’s good to be back playing. It gives myself some confidence as well in my body that I’m building in the right direction.”
Looking ahead to the clash against Port Adelaide, the Eagles will welcome back former Adelaide Crow Harry Schoenberg, who is set to make his debut for the club. Additionally, first-round draft selection Josh Lindsay has been recalled to the side.
However, West Coast will be without a couple of key players. Mature-age revelation Milan Murdock is sidelined with a hamstring injury, and key defender Harry Edwards is also out with concussion. There is currently no concrete timeline for the return of either player.
Port Adelaide’s Strengths and Challenges
Port Adelaide, meanwhile, enters the match with renewed confidence after bouncing back from a disappointing round-one loss to North Melbourne. They delivered a dominant performance against Essendon in round two, securing a resounding 63-point victory.
Despite their recent success, the Power will have to contend with the significant absence of their captain, Connor Rozee, who is expected to be out of action for approximately three months due to a hamstring tear. Further complicating their lineup, Todd Marshall and Miles Bergman have also been ruled out with ankle injuries.
In positive news for Port Adelaide, former Gold Coast Suns and Fremantle Dockers midfielder Will Brodie is set to make his debut for the club, and Josh Lai will also be making his AFL debut. However, the selection panel has opted to overlook Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines, who has served his suspension for a dangerous bump from last year, indicating a potential shift in their midfield strategy or selection priorities. The Eagles will be hoping to capitalise on these changes as they look to continue their positive momentum.
