AFL 2024: West Coast Eagles to challenge Harley Reid’s two-game ban

Harley Reid is out of the Rising Star race for now after his tackle on Darcy Wilson, but West Coast are set to do all they can to keep the young superstar available.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 01: Harley Reid of the Eagles looks on after giving away a free kick with a heavy tackle on Darcy Wilson of the Saints during the round 12 AFL match between West Coast Eagles and St Kilda Saints at Optus Stadium, on June 01, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

West Coast don’t want to lose Harley Reid for two weeks and will challenge his dangerous tackle ban but it won’t help the young star’s cause to win the AFL’s Rising Star award.

Reid, who has made a stunning impact on the Eagles and the league in his rookie season, was handed the suspension for a tackle on St Kilda draftee Darcy Wilson in the third quarter of his team 14-point loss at Optus Stadium on Saturday.

The incident was graded as careless conduct, high impact and high contact, which resulted in a two-game ban with no discount for an early guilty plea.

Reid had a big day, and was also fined to two instances of careless contact with an umpire, which totalled $1875 with early guilty pleas.

Harley Reid sling tackles Darcy Wilson at Perth Stadium

But the Eagles then confirmed in Monday they would challenge his dangerous tackle ban, in the hope of getting it down to one week.

Any suspension would rule Reid, who was the prohibitive favourite to win the Rising Star award, ineligible.

“The West Coast Eagles will challenge Harley Reid’s two-game sanction at the AFL Tribunal,” the club said.

“West Coast will challenge that the level of impact should be downgraded to medium, rather than high, which would result in a one-match suspension.”

If unsuccessful, Reid would be sidelined for matches against North Melbourne and Essendon either side of the club’s bye.

Originally published as AFL 2024: West Coast Eagles to challenge Harley Reid’s two-game ban