Last week, Harley Reid attended a wedding. Among a small group comprised of current and former West Coast Eagles teammates, Reid presumably thought he could enjoy a private evening celebrating Tom Barrass's nuptials. He may or may not have had a drink or two, and that's not something we need to delve into.
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02-23, 2025However, an unnamed wedding guest captured footage of Reid sitting next to and conversing with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell at some point during the event. Based on this, some were quick to conclude that the highly sought-after young footballer would inevitably be donning brown and gold guernseys sooner rather than later.
Rumours surrounding Harley Reid have been rampant. Some have suggested he'll be an Essendon player by next week, while others claim he's on the verge of signing a 15-year contract with West Coast. There's even speculation that he'll join Geelong, given their "close" proximity to his hometown of Tongala.
Against this backdrop, Harley Reid hopes to build on, or even surpass, his stellar first Australian Football League (AFL) season. This is undoubtedly a very tall order. Notably, West Coast has taken steps to shield Reid from the spotlight over the summer, likely in response to some of the ridiculous, even disrespectful, media coverage he received in 2024.
Even so, a player of his calibre and such a significant profile will invariably attract attention like a moth to a flame. With the constant scrutiny on social media and the frequent commentary from journalists and former players on podcasts, Reid will struggle to escape the bubble of public opinion in 2025. In such circumstances, is it reasonable to expect a teenager to thrive on the football field?
Young players have faced similar situations in the past, but Reid's circumstances don't have a completely comparable precedent. Jason Horne-Francis is a recent example, but his situation was more about an abrupt departure rather than a sustained saga. Furthermore, there is clearly a narrative difference between players wanting to leave Victorian clubs and those potentially returning to them.
The Chris Judd story might offer some parallels, but the entire landscape has changed dramatically since he left West Coast for Carlton 18 years ago. Judd was and is a very different person to Reid, his focus on city life contrasting sharply with Reid's relaxed, country-kid persona. In many ways, regardless of the support Reid receives from the club, his agent, and his family, he will be facing this largely alone. This is worth remembering as his story unfolds.
Another explanation for West Coast's more low-key public relations strategy this summer is that Reid's pre-season has been less than smooth, with minor injuries and an accidental concussion robbing him of momentum before the season. While this may be a result of him being too hard on himself, there have been fewer reports this year about Reid tearing up the Eagles' match simulations. He missed the first pre-season game against Richmond with little explanation given.
It is possible that Reid will struggle to reach the same heights again, weighed down by external pressures and a less-than-ideal pre-season. His value won't diminish, but his mental state will be scrutinised by "keyboard psychologists" across the country. If this does occur, will all logically available factors be taken into consideration? Or will it further fuel the narrative that his heart isn't in West Coast, reigniting the rumour mill and perpetuating a vicious cycle that has consumed many young players over the decades? That's for the reader to judge.
Perhaps Reid will be just fine, answering every contract question with a smile and gracefully fending off anyone who enters his sphere of influence on the field. The most wonderful thing about any emerging superstar is that endless possibility, a "choose your own adventure" feel that unfolds in real time and can be enjoyed by anyone open to it.
Reid possesses more possibilities than most. Navigating this uncertainty and making the right decisions will be the defining factor in how high he can climb in his career. Most players would see attending a friend's wedding as a mental escape, but Harley Reid isn't most players. His talent is both a blessing and a curse. Appreciate his talent, indulge in some good-natured speculation, but it's wise to remember both sides of the coin.
