AFL trade news: Melbourne Demons urged to find a way to secure Harley Reid

Currently the Eagles hold the card to take Harley Reid, but a former Demon is asking the Dees to sell the farm in order to grab one of the most talented prospects we have ever seen.

Melbourne has been urged to do everything in its power to secure the No. 1 draft pick from West Coast in the race for Harley Reid.

Former Demons midfielder Brock McLean – who played alongside Reid at Tongala this year – said the 18-year-old was undoubtedly a “special talent” who looked set to have a glittering “15-year career” at the top level.

While McLean said suggestions that Reid did not want to move west to join the Eagles were “categorically wrong”, he believed that it would be in Melbourne’s best interests to trade a raft of first-round selections in exchange for West Coast’s pick one.

“If you’re a club with multiple first-round draft picks, you’d definitely be looking at packages that you can trade up to West Coast to get him into your club,” McLean said.

“He’ll put bums on seats and I think once he gets a few pre-seasons under his belt, he’s just going to be an absolute gun. He can play anywhere on the ground, he’s good overhead, strong, a good size and a great kick.

“Regardless of whatever club that he ends up at, I’d love to go and watch him play, particularly in his first year in the AFL. If he ends up at the Dees, I’d be absolutely stoked.”

The Demons have been urged to find a deal that gets Harley Reid to the club. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne offered picks 6, 11, 42 and a future first-round selection to the Eagles as part of a trade for the No. 1 pick late last month.

However, the Eagles are continuing to hold the selection, amid other rival offers from North Melbourne and Hawthorn.

Clubs are able to complete live trades of picks on draft night if deals are unable to be reached before the close of the trade period at 5pm on Friday.

McLean, who played 157 with Melbourne and Carlton across an 11-year career at the highest level, said Reid was as good an 18-year-old prospect as he had seen.

“When Dusty (Richmond’s Dustin Martin) burst onto the scene, he was pretty amazing,” McLean said.

“Sam Walsh comes to mind. I didn’t get to spend any time with him at Carlton, but talking to people who were at Carlton at the time, they said he was one of the most special kids they’d seen come through the system.

“I certainly think Harley’s right up there with those types of guys. Just from what I’ve seen and knowing the kid that he is, he’s really special and he’d be a great addition to any footy club.

“We had a few chats and you could just tell he’s got a really good head on his shoulders.

“He’s going to be a really class player for a long time.”

Originally published as AFL trade news: Melbourne Demons urged to find a way to secure Harley Reid