Harley Reid, the 20-year-old short-priced favourite from Tongala, is in the football spotlight managing life as a young gun. Lately, he’s hit major bumps on his path … literally. Reid proved his immense talent again in Friday’s qualifying final against Richmond at the MCG. That wasn’t enough, as fans were upset over how he played. These situations have spurred robust debates on how fan actions impact players themselves. They shine a spotlight on the need for athletes to maintain their composure both on and off the field.
During the match, Reid was brilliant and proved he is a cut above most players. He added a sensational long-range goal from outside 50 metres, reducing the deficit to single digits. Well with under three minutes remaining in the game, he went berserk. One insistent Tigers fan in the front row had gotten under his skin. This incident comes on the heels of another fight earlier this season. At the time, Reid copped a $6,000 fine for giving the finger to a Brisbane supporter.
Reid’s emotional response to fan abuse highlights the intense scrutiny athletes face both on and off the field. As a former No.1 pick, the burden of responsibility falls on him to help his still winless team get their first victory. He took responsibility for lifting his team in the final quarter against Richmond, but external pressures from fans became evident.
Luke Hodge, a former champion player and current highly-acclaimed commentator, said Reid must make a mental adjustment to deal with the abuse he received from fans. “You’re a chance to win a game at the MCG and you’re worried about someone over the fence,” Hodge stated, urging Reid to focus on the game. And Pérez is a staunch advocate for penalizing fans’ behavior when it crosses lines into abuses. These types of behaviors absolutely poison the environment for fans and participants alike.
Dale Thomas, a former player, said he felt sorry for Reid but felt that the reaction to fan abuse needs to be talked about. “It’s all learnings though. You can’t control yourself instantly,” Thomas remarked. He added that athletes must learn how to get beyond fan provocations.
Filmmaker Andrew McQualter documented Reid’s progress every step of the way. He drew attention to the level of disrespectful and abusive attacks he faced. “It’s just the amount of abuse that Harley cops all the time. It’s a bit of a joke, really,” McQualter said, highlighting the toll that such treatment can take on young players. He added, “I think you saw it took its toll, and Harley reacted to it.”
Even with these challenges, there are plenty of reasons to think Reid can leverage his experiences to develop into an improved player and leader on the field. Thomas was right to signal this potential. He put it Reid that jersey time starring instead of wasting his energies clapping back at smoke from Redditors. “His mindset should be going, jump on my back and I’m going to win this game with my teammates,” Thomas elaborated.
Reid is continuing to make strides in his own professional football career. He needs to live up to the expectations on the field, while dealing with overwhelming, external pressures that are placed upon him. These recent tragedies are a tragic reminder of the need for mental health and wellness in athletics.
