Inside the biggest draft auction in history: What your club can offer for Harley Reid – and is it worth it?

The stage has been set for the biggest auction in draft history to secure prized youngster Harley Reid, but which clubs have a realistic shot at landing the generational talent?

Harley Reid will be the number one pick in this year’s draft. Picture: Getty Images

The stage is set for the biggest auction in draft history as a growing number of clubs expect West Coast to trade the No.1 pick — and access to generational talent Harley Reid — to the highest bidder.

The Eagles – $1.03 favourites for the wooden spoon – will be offered bounties similar to what they demanded for Chris Judd in 2007.

Judd and pick 46 (Dennis Armfield) cost Carlton No.3 (Chris Masten), No.20 (Tony Notte) and Josh Kennedy, who the Blues had drafted at No.4 two years earlier.

Reid – arguably the most hyped footballer who has never played an AFL match – was likened to Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge by one club’s chief recruiter this week.

“He’s a Luke Hodge-type. Powerful, confident, country kid, bit of a lad and can play a variety of positions,” he said.

The Tongala teen, whose power has also been compared to Dustin Martin, kicked four goals from 11 disposals on Saturday and recently booted three goals in the first nine minutes playing for Vic Country.

But West Australians Daniel Curtin (195cm) and Mitch Edwards (206cm) loom as obvious targets for the Eagles if they split their precious pick.

The Eagles currently hold picks 1, 19, 35, 37, 53 and 55 and would have to consider list spots before multiplying their No.1 pick.

Harley Reid impressed when playing for Carlton’s VFL side. Picture: Ian Currie

“Edwards is a Tim English-type – but he’s not as good as Tim was at the same age, and then you take into account English was pick 19 (in 2016),” one recruiting expert said.

“Curtin’s very athletic. He’s still working out whether he’s an inside mid or a key defender. He shows some skills at both – but he’s inconsistent.”

Clubs are adamant the Eagles would want two top-10 picks – one of them in the top five – plus another early selection, possibly in next year’s draft, or a young gun on another AFL list to broker a trade.

While Judd was a Brownlow Medallist, that would be the riskiest deal in history given Reid is unproven and history shows the No.1 pick rarely lives up to the billing.

Adelaide and Richmond unsuccessfully tabled similar offers to North Melbourne for the No.1 pick in 2021 when Jason Horne-Francis was available.

Clubs believe Greater Western Sydney, North Melbourne and Melbourne – in that order – are best-equipped to strike a deal for Reid.

The Roos’ chances would be boosted if Ben McKay departed as a free agent on a contract worth about $800,000 per season.

Should they remain 17th that would arm them with picks No.2 and 3 (compensation pick for McKay).

But while key defenders are hard to find, some clubs doubt McKay would be paid that much.

A smaller contract would likely result in North receiving a compensation pick either at the end of the first round or start of the second.

Similarly, the Demons would be a better chance to trade for Reid if Fremantle crashed out of finals contention.

The Demons hold the Dockers’ first and second-round picks courtesy of last year’s Luke Jackson trade.

They hold six picks in the first two rounds across the 2023 and 2024 drafts. If the Demons could package them up for a few golden selections they would be in the running for Reid.

Gold Coast (2023) and Carlton (2024) are clubs who could be willing to offload their first-round picks because they are expected to match bids for academy and father-son prospects in those drafts.

The Eagles – who convinced Kennedy to come home in 2007 – could ask for another spearhead in Jacob van Rooyen, although the goalkicker is happy at the Demons and contracted until 2025.

Unlike when a player requests a trade to a particular club, the Eagles are free to simply accept the best offer for the No.1 pick.

That has the Giants in the best bargaining position because they are sitting on No.5 and 6, and could receive a third top-10 pick if free agent Harry Himmelberg departed.

The Giants traded up to No.1 last year to grab key forward Aaron Cadman.

In the same mega trade the Eagles split their No.2 pick to draft local boys Reuben Ginbey (No.9) and Elijah Hewett (No.14).

The Eagles and Giants suspected some of last year’s top talents from Melbourne were flight risks. They said that forced them to effectively operate using a different draft board to Victorian clubs.

But one club said the Eagles would land a bonanza come November.

They can either double-down on last year’s strategy by splitting their pick or take the special kid.

“They’re in a no-lose situation,” they said.

Originally published as Inside the biggest draft auction in history: What your club can offer for Harley Reid – and is it worth it?