Fresh rumour over AFL club’s $2.5m Harley Reid war chest

A Victorian AFL club is reportedly planning to unleash its massive war chest in a bid to poach West Coast young gun Harley Reid.

A Victorian powerhouse with a war chest is set to come hard for Harley Reid.

Nine’s Eddie McGuire believes Essendon is poised to offer Harley Reid a mouth-watering contract thanks to a war chest of money.

Reid is contracted at the Eagles until the end of 2026, but the speculation surrounding his future and a possible move back home to Victoria is high.

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The Age reported on Wednesday that Essendon and Richmond were well poised to make a play for Reid, given their strong draft hands.

Both clubs currently hold two first-round selections in this year’s draft, which in theory could be used to appease the Eagles in any talks.

But McGuire thinks the Bombers are in pole position.

“Essendon are the one that they’re talking about at the moment,” McGuire said on the Eddie and Jimmy podcast.

“And my mail is they’ve got $2.5 (million) in their salary cap.

Harley Reid is set to receive some bumper contract offers. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I don’t know if it will all go to him, but they’ve got $2.5m sitting there.”

McGuire’s co-host, Cats champion Jimmy Bartel said Reid was set to cash in regardless of whether he stays or leaves.

“He’s going to get a big offer,” Bartel said.

“Good time to be Harley Reid.”

Earlier this week, former Eagle Will Schofield told foxfooty.com.au’s Ben Cotton that talk surround Reid’s future was just “outside noise”.

“I just think it’s Round 1 of 2025 and a conversation that’s been planted into the media. How do you look at a second-year player and say after one round: ‘His head isn’t in the game, he’s worried about his contract’?,” Schofield posed.

“How would anyone have any idea? Why can’t that be a kid who hasn’t found what it takes to be consistent and hasn’t got his body where it needs to be? I think that’s pretty clear.

“But contract stuff is just outside noise for mine. It could be that, but it just as easily might not be.”

FRINGE GIANT ‘GONE’ AS RIVALS CIRCLE

Young GWS Giants defender Leek Aleer is expected to play for a rival club in 2026, with one powerhouse a big “watch” as the year progresses.

After being drafted with pick 15 back in 2021, Aleer has managed just 12 matches over the past three seasons.

The emerging defender is stuck behind Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley, Harry Himmelberg and Connor Idun in the pecking order and is seeking greater senior opportunities in 2026 and beyond.

“Leek Aleer doesn’t look like he’s got a place in the Giants side,” AFL Media’s Riley Beveridge told Gettable.

“I can’t see him staying at the football club beyond 2025.”

Cal Twomey agreed, saying “gone”, adding that the Brisbane Lions are a “watch in the Leek Aleer chase”.

During the pre-season, Aleer told The Age that senior opportunities would be a “major contributor” in his decision.

“That will obviously be a major contributor to my decision,” Aleer said.

“I love the Giants, I love the boys, I love the coach, and all the staff – and I love Sydney as a whole. But I’m a very aspirational person. This year, I’m very focused on just playing footy and enjoying what is going to hopefully be a fruitful season for us as a football club.

“Playing as many games as I possibly can is my main priority. When I get to that crossroad at the back end of the year, to decide what I want to do, I will talk about and deal with those things then.”

Originally published as Fresh rumour over AFL club’s $2.5m Harley Reid war chest