Reid all about it: Leongatha Parrots produce draft prospect
Zach Reid hopes to follow in the steps of Jarryd Roughead and Dyson Heppell and be the next player to emerge from Leongatha, where he has strong family ties. His ‘exquisite’ kicking could be his ticket to the AFL.
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When Gippsland Power manager Scotty McDougal talks about Zach Reid’s “shoe’’, he’s not referring to his sneakers or even his boots.
In the lingo of recruiters and talent managers, he’s talking about Reid’s kicking.
He calls it “exquisite’’ – and an obvious reason why AFL clubs are showing a lot of interest in the 203cm right-footer from the Power and Leongatha Parrots.
His versatility is another attribute.
The Gatha are the proud footballing home of Jarryd Roughead and Dyson Heppell, and Zach’s ties to the club go beyond him playing under-age football for the Parrots.
His father, Craig, figured in senior premierships for them in the 1990s. And his mother, Megan, was a prominent netballer.
While COVID-19 curtailed all metropolitan football this year, some junior football went ahead in country areas, and Reid squeezed in a couple of Under 18 games for the Gatha, whom he joined from Inverloch-Kongwak.
But otherwise it was a frustrating winter for him and his Power teammates.
“Yeah, we didn’t get to do anything really,’’ he said.
“Being a top-age player I wanted to step up and start the year well and play consistent footy and hopefully tick off a few things, play Vic Country and get a combine invite.’’
The absence of the NAB League hasn’t diminished AFL clubs’ regard for him. He did get a combine invitation, and McDougal believes Reid is the Power’s No 1 prospect.
“There’s a bit of heat around him,’’ he said.
“He’s a defender who can play ruck and play forward. He’s got exquisite kicking skills, and he’s a little bit Harris Andrews-like in that he’s athletic and runs around taking a grab here and there.
“But his No 1 weapon is his shoe. He’s got an amazing ability to hit targets. You get excited when he gets the ball coming out of defence because you know it’s going to end up with a teammate.’’
Reid showed it last year in a strong Power team that finished second on the ladder and produced a string of draftees, including 2020 Rising Star recipient Caleb Serong and Sam Flanders.
Reid enjoys playing in the backline. But he also enjoys a run in other positions.
“I do get thrown around a bit,’’ he said. “When you hear that 200cm, you probably think ruckman but I like to play back the most. I probably feel more comfortable there, can back myself. But I’ll go wherever I’m needed, I suppose.’’
Reid has met a few AFL clubs, no surprise given he’s crept up on draft boards.
He won’t be taking anything for granted. His brother Kyle played for Gippsland Power in 2018, so well that he garnered All Australian selection. But he missed out on the national and rookie drafts. He later signed at Geelong VFL.
“He had a pretty good year. It was pretty impressive, some of the stuff he did. He won awards for Vic Country and was named All Australian,’’ Reid said of his older brother. “I thought he was a bit unlucky. But you can’t get your hopes too high. You never know what might happen on draft night.’’
Reid attends Wonthaggi Secondary College, and his cousin and fellow Gippsland Power player Grace McRae is in the same year level. Former Dandenong Premier Cricket captain Tim Hooper is their PE teacher. He attests not only to their sporting talent, but their excellent character.
“She’s pretty tough. She always has been,’’ Reid said of McRae. “When we used to muck around as kids she was a bit of a goer. I trained with her pre-season and she’s very competitive, like all us McRaes.’’
Their grandfather, Peter McRae, played league football for Footscray in the 1950s.
Grace is considered a good chance to be taken by a club in Tuesday’s AFLW draft.
Zach Reid, the tall young man with the exquisite “shoe’’ and versatility, will have to wait a few weeks longer for his dash at it.
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