Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin on high alert for Harley Reid in Sunday showdown with West Coast
In round 11 Harley Reid showed no respect for two of the best midfielders in the AFL in a statement game and the Demons won’t be caught out twice.
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Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has declared his team will be “prepared for Harley Reid this time” after the rising star favourite destroyed the premiership winning Demons midfield in a shock West Coast win just six weeks ago.
Reid, last year’s No.1 draft pick, made jaws drop with his stunning 21-disposal, two goal effort which included some moments of individual brilliance against some of the game’s best players.
In one centre clearance he fended off both Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, who have multiple All-Australian and best and fairest honours between them.
In another he took the ball from the middle of the ground, charged forward with several bounces running away from his opposition chasers to kick a goal-of-the-year contender.
Goodwin said taking care of Reid had been “a big part of our planning” with the young gun racking up another 21 disposals in his first game back from suspension in last week’s big loss to Hawthorn.
“We’ll be prepared for Harley Reid this time,” he said on Thursday.
“He showed us last time what he’s’s capable of to a really high level. There’s no doubt we’ll be prepared. We will have some plans n place to make sure he doesn’t have the impact that he had on the game last time. That’s one of our challenges. The midfield need to respond in that area this week.”
West Coast Eagles sensation Harley Reid with a trademark fend off on Superstar Christian Petracca in a massive upset win over Melbourne is this weeks Ashley and Martin Turning Point pic.twitter.com/DY02D5EMrM
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) May 22, 2024
Goodwin said none of his players had “put their hand up” to tackle Reid, but it could be a team effort and his entire midfield group was “on edge” about not being exposed as they were in Perth.
“We’re still working through what that looks like,” he said when it comes to tackling Reid.
“But it will be a big part of our planning not only from a personnel perspective but from a method perspective of how we look after Harley Reid
“Our boys are ready, and on edge foe what’s possible. We’ve done a lot of work on them this week.”
Goodwin said a plan to help star ruckman Max Gawn was also pivotal to any success after the five-time All-Australian was “tagged” by rival Bailey Williams in the last clash.
Having recovered from an ACL injury suffered in the final home and away game last season, Jake Melksham is available for selection with the only decision for Goodwin whether to play him at AFL or VFL level.
Goodwin said there were plenty of recent examples of playings being brought straight back to the top level after long-term injuries, including Brisbane’s Will Ashcroft last week.
“He’s been doing match loads for six or seven weeks,” he said of Melksham.
“We still have a long week in terms of not playing until Sunday. He’s in contention to play at both levels. We’ll work out what’s best for both.
“It’s not uncommon these days to come straight back in. The training they do gets them ready to play AFL footy.”
Originally published as Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin on high alert for Harley Reid in Sunday showdown with West Coast
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