How Harley Reid could feature in Murray League finals

If Harley Reid’s local club is to play finals this year, the touted number one AFL Draft pick could be selected without playing a home-and-away game. Here’s why.

A rule change in the Murray Football League (MFL) could allow one of the brightest prospects in the game, Harley Reid, to play for his home club this year at any time, including finals.

The Tongala junior is touted as the number one draft pick at this year’s AFL draft after his recent performances for Bendigo in the Coates Talent League.

It also comes after his efforts last year as an underage junior for the Pioneers and for the under-18 Victoria Country team at the national championships.

In the past two years, Reid has also played four senior games for Tongala.

Reid could pull on the colours of his hometown during one of the Pioneers four Talent League byes.

Harley Reid of the Bendigo Pioneers in action during the 2023 Coates Talent League Boys Testing Day. He is being touted as the number one draft pick. Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Normally, four games isn’t enough for players to qualify for finals, but in the Murray league a tweak in the rules will help Reid qualify even if he doesn’t play a game.

One game he plays for Bendigo counts as one game in the local competition.

“An AFL under-18 competition game is equal to the Murray Football League senior competition,” Murray league administrator Dale Norman said.

“We changed it in 2016.

“We know our players go off and play under-18s, so we encourage them to do it and come back and feature prominently (in our competition) if they want to.”

Reid has played three games already for Bendigo and needs just two more to qualify.

The next question is will he play for his home club.

Tongala made finals last year and will be looking to do the same this season. Photo: Tongala FNC.

Tongala president Darren Maloney said there was no doubt Reid will play if everything aligns.

“If he is available and they (Bendigo) let him play, of course, he w9uld he the first one picked,” he said.

Tongala has started the year with one win and one loss, losing their second contest of the season to Nathalia by a goal on Good Friday.

Maloney said the club is relying on its juniors for success this year after losing almost a dozen players in the off-season.

But the town is excited for what could happen to Reid later this year.

“It’s a huge thing for Harley, huge thing for the town,” Maloney said.

“Harley was also involved in the cricket club and everyone is supporting him.”

The Murray Football League is also excited about Reid and what could happen.

No player from the competition, according to them, has gone inside the top=10 at a national draft.

Reid’s next match for Bendigo will be on Sunday against Gippsland with Tongala playing Moama on Saturday in the next round of the Murray Football League.