20-year-old Harley Reid might one day be the most discussed player of the Eagles. His brilliant showing in a recent game has had everybody buzzing. Reid proved he has elite talent with an incredible performance. He was named his side’s best player, finishing the match with 27 touches and two majors. His brilliant first half, instigating the offense with 20 touches, had everyone raving from fans to executives.
The young midfielder’s breakout performance this season has only heated up discussions around his future with the Eagles. Reid certainly has captured the attention as the top overall pick in the 2023 draft. Fans and analysts have been clamoring all summer with speculation about possible contract extensions for him. He is under contract with West Coast through the end of 2026. In light of recent news, the conversation about his future is growing louder.
Reid had a breakout game to remember, and West Coast were impressed. They provided him non-tenders a wide range of opportunities to remain within the membership. These alternatives should allow for both short- and long-term agreements. His management team has rewarded him by responding with their own conditions for an extension, which the latter have been rumored to include. Meetings between West Coast officials and Reid’s manager are being set up in the coming days to further explore these options.
Reid’s future has major financial consequences. Estimates suggest his salary could approach $20 million in the next decade. Ryan Daniels, an Arlington-based football analyst, remarked that one potential landing place for Reid might be more than ten years long.
“One of them in particular is a very long deal, I don’t know the specific number of years but it was described to me as very long as I think you could imagine would be nine or 10-year range.” – Ryan Daniels
Add to all of that that Victorian clubs are already circling Reid as a potential free agent, making it an even more complicated situation. One thing that West Coast coach Andrew McQualter was not is downbeat. He doesn’t think the club’s current struggles will scare Reid away from making a long-term commitment to the Eagles.
“I think if you see Harley and the way he’s invested, he’s absolutely in and he’s a competitor,” McQualter stated, expressing confidence in Reid’s dedication to the team.
Treading water While West Coast works through its issues, McQualter admitted the entire team has a duty to do better on the field.
“Nobody likes losing, I appreciate that part of it. We’re all sick to death of it to be honest. But we’re the only people that can make a change. It’s people inside the four walls that can get us out of here and we have to do it together.” – Andrew McQualter
