Rising AFL star Harley Reid finds himself in hot water following a contentious on-field incident during Sunday’s game between West Coast and Port Adelaide. Reid led the league this season in conceding free kicks. He was rightly slammed for his undisciplined play, surrendering six set shots and a 50-meter penalty throughout the game. The young player’s behavior has sparked discussions about his future with the club and his overall discipline on the field.
Despite the controversies, Reid emerged as one of West Coast’s standout players, contributing significantly with 27 touches and hitting the scoreboard. The event was overshadowed by a one-sided fight with Port Adelaide’s Jason Horne-Francis. During the exchange, he’s been accused of mocking Horne-Francis for abandoning North Melbourne after just one year in 2022.
The clash rapidly escalated into an armed encounter. This tension came to a head when Reid was said to have told Horne-Francis to ‘go back to mummy, leave after one year’. On the field all game long, there they were, combatants constantly at each other’s throats, stoking a raging inferno on the field.
Former player Kane Cornes weighed in, arguing that Reid “has to stay now” after the fact, to West Coast. He stressed that Reid “would have to at least put up with us for another year.” He described Reid’s actions as “unacceptable,” raising concerns about the young player’s maturity and decision-making on the field.
Nick Riewoldt voiced these feelings, noting that Reid must decide once and for all on the future of his career in the not too distant future. His point was that the weight of other people’s expectations might be weighing him down. He continued, “He probably knows where his future is already now, but from the outside looking in, you can tell the burden of expectation has really gotten to him.”
Riewoldt further noted that Reid must commit himself completely to his new life as a professional footballer. At some stage, he’s got to mature,” Cornes said. He advised the budding Olympian to take a more grown-up position.
Mitch Cleary from ABC highlighted the ramifications of Reid’s proactive measures. In doing so, he argued, by berating Horne-Francis, Reid has now “backed himself into a corner” with regards to his own future. The questions this controversial incident have produced on Reid’s discipline — and what it could mean for the rest of his career trajectory.
West Coast Harley Reid is contracted with West Coast until the end of next season. This fall, speculation has been brewing over a potential return to his home state. His performance on the field, compounded by his off-field stunts, creates a very complex narrative. This has been a huge blow to his reputation among those in the club and fans.
