Fans fume at ‘embarrassing’ Harley Reid flop during huge loss to Suns

West Coast star Harley Reid has come under fire for an ‘embarrassing’ and ‘unacceptable’ act as his Eagles were battered by the Suns.

AFL fans have laid into Harley Reid for an ‘embarrassing’ flop that punctuated a rather docile performance by the Eagles star.

The 2023 No. 1 draft pick slotted one beautiful goal from 50m out in the third term but was otherwise uncharacteristically quiet with just 12 touches in the Gold Coast Suns’ 20.16 (136) to 7.7 (49) thrashing of West Coast on Sunday.

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Struggling to make any impact on the game and with just four disposals in a modest first half, Reid’s frustrations got the best of him as he got into a verbal spat with several Suns players at the halftime break.

As he was ushered away by Eagles captain Oscar Allen, Reid was seen pointing to the dressing rooms despite his side being 45 points down at the halftime break.

Harley Reid has been called out for a flop against the Suns. Image: Fox Footy/Getty

However, it was a moment just before the half-time interval that went down like a lead balloon with fans.

The young gun appeared to fling himself to the ground after minimal contact from Suns defender Charlie Ballard.

Ballard lightly grabbed at the arm of Reid, who flopped to the ground after missing a shot at goal.

You can watch the incident in the video at the top of the page

That mixed with his overall poor showing didn’t go down well with the AFL world, in particular fed-up Eagles fans who sarcastically cheered him during the second half every time he got his hands on the ball.

Harley Reid was underwhelming in the Eagles’ loss to the Suns. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes implored the youngster to get that type of stuff out of his game.

“He’s going to get there in five or six years time,” Cornes said on ‘First Up with Kane Cornes’.

“The sooner this stuff gets out of his game the better. That’s unacceptable. That’s an embarrassing effort and he’s better than that.”

While online, fans tore into the young Eagle.

“Harley Reid that is the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever seen,” one fan said about his flop.

While WAFL player Keegan Knott also didn’t hold back in his criticism of the teenager’s actions.

“Legit embarrassing to watch Harley Reid worry about chirping, starting scraps and laughing at halftime when he’s had the four touches. And to think we were comparing him and Nick Daicos?” Knott said.

While another fan wrote: “Has had zero influence. Really wish Harley Reid would just focus on the team and getting a kick rather than flipping his mouth and looking for Frees. Everyone just wants to see his talent shine through.”

Originally published as Fans fume at ‘embarrassing’ Harley Reid flop during huge loss to Suns