Harley Reid opens up on journey from shy country kid to footy star

In an exclusive long-form interview, Harley Reid reflects on the highs and lows of his first year in the AFL – and the, at times, full-on attention that comes with it. WATCH THE VIDEO

Harley Reid had a quintessential country childhood. He milked cows, kicked a footy over hay bales, bonded with cattle dogs, did a spot of camping, some tractor work and went fishing — that was life in Tongala.

Now with a population up around 3000 people, the dairy-farming Goulburn Valley town between Kyabram and Echuca still puts a smile on his face.

“Mostly I grew up on my uncle and aunty’s farm in Kyabram, you’re running around in each different paddock and I had a great relationship with all the animals along the way,’’ Reid says while enjoying some time back on the property.

“There was always a footy in my hand, kicking it around and whatnot. We used to have a paddock with goalposts where we would do most of our footy training. There’s a dam on the farm where we’d head down for a fish and get the kneeboard in there and drive around in the four wheeler and soak up the time and enjoy country life on the paddock.”

Harley Reid on his uncle’s farm in Kyabram with farm dog Macy. Picture: Mark Stewart

Reid is now 19 but the memories of life back on the farm are still vivid.

He grew up with parents Mark and Vanessa and two sisters Hollie, a teacher, and Jasmin, who works at a physio company. They all played sport, it was just a natural thing to do.

As a teenager Reid used to work at the local pub, the Ky West Hotel, which sadly burnt down last year, and he finished his year 12 exams at St Joseph’s College in Echuca.

“It’s a small community, an everyone knows each other type of town which is good,’’ Reid says.

And everyone knows of the footy-loving lad with the prodigious talent. They’d see him following dad Mark down to training at the Tongala Blues.

After kicking a footy from age three and then showing plenty of promise with the Bendigo Pioneers, it was obvious Reid had a big future in the game. He’s gone from a kid living simply in country Victoria to the “big smoke” of Perth and playing at the top level in the AFL. Time has flown, and life flipped on its head, since his name was read out at the 2023 draft as the No. 1 pick.

Reid as a junior.

From the moment he touched down in Perth it’s been a free-for-all with everyone knowing his name, his face and his ability.

For the shy teenager with trademark long hair, it’s a lot to take in at times.

“I guess it’s something I’ve had to deal with and try to accept but at times I don’t wish some of the attention on anyone, to be honest, with some things you have to cop and deal with from people who are jealous to an extent or whatnot,’’ he says. “It’s hard with some aspects that come with it and it’s something that can come in multiple different ways. The AFL world is known for it I guess.

“I think, like everyone that plays footy, the end dream is to play AFL footy and footy has always been a part of me and I’ve never really done life without it. It’s all gone very quickly and felt like I got drafted yesterday.

“My first impressions (of Perth) were it was more like the weather was nice. The first block there it was a quick stint to enjoy the sunshine and experience the day to day.”

Harley Reid with parents Mark and Vanessa and sisters Hollie and Jasmin.

Reid made his debut in round 2 and it didn’t take long to make headlines all around the country – not just in WA.

Many commentators were saying Reid, wearing the club’s famous No. 9 jumper, had given the Eagles back their relevancy after they dipped to the bottom rungs of the ladder and on the back of a disappointing decline.

An unexpected bump in the road was when coach Adam Simpson was sacked in July after 11 years in charge.

“For me, that was a bit out of the blue … I didn’t really think it was happening to be honest,’’ Reid recalls.

“I got into the club and (Simpson) didn’t attend one of the meetings and we didn’t know what was going on. That experience is something I won’t forget, it was a very weird experience. Simmo did so much for me and the relationship I had with him felt like I’d been with him for 10 years, not just six months. I couldn’t feel more privileged to play under him for six months.”

Reid with former coach Adam Simpson. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

Reid admits at times he has had to turn off social media and has learnt to keep his “circle very tight”.

“Yeah, throughout the year … I got to the point where I had to do that and minimise my social media time,’’ he says, “choosing the right time when to go on it.”

“I feel like I dealt with it at the time. There’s stuff you’ve got to block out, you know, that’s not true and keep your circle very tight I guess.

“I wasn’t able to get back home as much as I would like and that was something that was tough throughout the year, but now having a break it’s good to get back.

“I think it’s hard to keep in touch with family and friends when you’re two or three hours behind everyone back home. But the boys are great and you’re pretty busy over there too so you don’t really think about home too much. Footy day-to-day life is a very busy one.”

Amid the highs and lows of his first season, where he managed to play and star in 20 games, were the interactions with people he’s admired. A dangerous tackle suspension ruled him ineligible to win the Rising Star award — which many felt was all but a certainty — but he did win goal of the year for his incredible dashing goal against Melbourne at Optus Stadium.

Reid has been supported by some AFL greats. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

The highlight was getting support from Ben Cousins, the Eagles great who previously wore the No. 9 jumper, plus messages from Melbourne star Christian Petracca and retired Richmond premiership hero Dustin Martin.

“I’m an ex-Geelong supporter, I grew up supporting them, and I would have to say Gary Ablett Jr was someone I always looked up to,’’ Reid says.

“Paddy Dangerfield, Christian Petracca and Dusty Martin too.

“Dusty sent me a message after the Richmond game and I have a lot of respect for that guy and the contribution he’s had in the AFL world is pretty special so that was very, very cool.

“I met Benny last year and I was lucky enough to do some gigs with him throughout the year. He’s a good fella and he loved the way I’ve gone about my footy and I couldn’t thank him enough for his support.

He will spend some time in Victoria in the off-season. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos

“Obviously everyone loves to play footy and running out at home with the Optus crowd is just another pump up of energy to go out there and give it a red hot crack.

“I’ve enjoyed my footy this year, it’s a lot better when you’re winning and a lot of boys have helped me express myself and Simmo and the boys have let me express myself from the get-go.

“It’s always good when you’re winning and we’re in a rebuild stage of trying to get better each week and we could match it against the best but just couldn’t do it consistently.”

For all the talk about Reid and his talent, the top discussion is about the “go home” factor and if he’ll return to play in Victoria.

He will spend some time here in the off-season at home and in Melbourne with his childhood sweetheart, AFLW Carlton player Yasmin Duursma.

Harley Reid and Yasmin Duursma at the Brownlow. Picture: Michael Klein

The long-distance relationship is flourishing despite the state divide, with Reid in the stands alongside her family when she made her debut with Carlton in grand final week.

The relatively private couple also stepped out together to attend the Brownlow Medal. “Duursma” is also a pretty handy footy name — her brothers are Xavier at Essendon, Zane at North Melbourne and Willem in the under-18s competition.

“For sure, it’s good to see how her footy is going and be there face-to-face to be able to support her along her journey,’’ Reid says.

Reid is also attending the Caulfield Cup on October 19, not with Duursma but with family and friends.

“I’m looking forward to some downtime and being back in Victoria spending time with family and friends in an environment that’s so welcoming,’’ he says.

Reid will attend this year’s Caulfield Cup. Picture: Mark Stewart

“I’m also looking forward to going to the Caulfield Cup Carnival again, this time as a Friend of Melbourne Racing Club.

“I’m excited to see some great Group 1 racing and be amongst the crowds. The new GA area at Caulfield is inspired by international sports events, so has entertainment, live music and food trucks right next to the track, giving punters some of the best views in the house.

“I really like Caulfield. No matter where you are, you can see the track and horses, so you feel like you’re part of the action. If you’re in GA like I was last year, you won’t need to move all day. Whoever has No. 9 too, I might have to back them.”

Reid understands there’s a fascination with his movements and with his future but the ‘Tonny’ kid is a live-in-the-moment kind of guy.

“I haven’t really thought long term at all, more short term and living in that moment and trying to set little goals to keep ticking the boxes and get better and rebuild to where we want to be,’’ he says.

“It’s trying to find what suits me and what will be right for my career.

“Going No. 1 was huge and to have this chance, I just want to take it and do my best.”