AFL draft combine: Harley Reid denies any issue with possible move to Eagles

Harley Reid shut down reports that he would be unhappy moving to the Eagles after the draft, with the top prospect saying he would be mad to worry about where he heads after the draft.

Daniel Curtin of the AFL Academy in action during the match between the AFL Academy and Port Adelaide Magpies at Summit Sports Park on April 15, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Likely No. 1 draft pick Harley Reid says he is unfazed about making a move interstate as he continues his recovery from a minor knee injury which sidelined him from testing at the AFL draft combine.

Reid hyperextended his left knee as he was tackled during a Coates Talent League match for the Bendigo Pioneers in late August.

He returned to the field for the Pioneers’ last match of the season two weeks later, but is still working to return the knee to full health and was a notable absentee from the 2km time trial field at the draft combine on Friday.

“It’s not 100 per cent at the moment,” Reid told this masthead.

“I sat down with my physio and on that plan this week was not the best to get back to full capabilities with my knee.

“I’d rather get it right and I’ve been doing a bit of strength training and some cycling, too, to build up the quad muscle down to my knee. I’m just trying to stay fit in different ways to what I have before.”

Reid’s immediate future remains the subject of much intrigue as Victorian clubs North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Melbourne all look to make plays to prise the No. 1 draft pick off West Coast.

Reid has seemingly been the consensus top prospect all year. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

North Melbourne lost its grip on the first selection after posting a 35-point win over Gold Coast in the final round of the home-and-away season, which climbed it off the bottom rung of the ladder. However, Reid was not glued to a television like a lot of Kangaroos fans were that day.

“Anything could have happened and anything could still happen, but at the end of the day it doesn’t bother me where I end up,” Reid said.

“It’s just a huge opportunity to get drafted so you’d be mad to worry about where you go.”

There were reports mid-year that Reid did not want to be drafted by a struggling West Coast, but the 18-year-old has strongly denied such speculation.

“That’s not the case,” Reid said.

“That was a weird one. That never came out of my mouth, so that was a bit unexpected.”

Adam Simpson and the Eagles currently hold the first pick in the draft. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Reid said he understood that he would have to move away from his hometown of Tongala in northern Victoria regardless of which club he was drafted to, adding that he was ready for whatever lies ahead in the national draft on November 20.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty at the moment but I’m just trying to enjoy the ride and soak it all up,” he said.

“At the moment I’m back home so I’m just enjoying the time I’ve got there until I head off and everything starts ramping up. I’m just trying to enjoy my everyday life with family and friends.

“I’ll be excited and it will all feel real once it all happens, though, so I’ll be keen for that day.”

WA top-five draft prospect would ‘love’ Melbourne move

Top-five AFL draft prospect Daniel Curtin says he would “love the opportunity” to move to Melbourne as he shapes as a key piece in any trade for the No. 1 draft pick.

West Coast, which currently holds the first selection in the draft, has indicated this week that it is likely to hold onto that pick.

However, the Eagles remain open to offers and have held discussions with clubs including North Melbourne about what a trade of picks could look like.

If West Coast is to trade the No. 1 pick, it is expected the Eagles would want to retain access to the highly-rated Curtin with another early selection.

The Kangaroos – who hold pick No. 2 – have also shown significant interest in Curtin, a 195cm West Australian who is likely to start his AFL career as a key defender but hopes to eventually progress into midfield and forward roles.

Daniel Curtin is happy to go anywhere to make his AFL dream a reality. Picture: Getty Images

“Obviously staying in WA would be awesome, but at the same time I’d absolutely love the opportunity to go to Melbourne,” Curtin said on Friday.

“I do want to be a very loyal player if I do get the opportunity to get drafted.”

Asked how he would enjoy being coached by Alastair Clarkson at North Melbourne if that opportunity presented, Curtin said he was would be all for it.

“It would be an absolute honour,” he said.

“He’s a very accomplished coach and I’m sure there’s still things he wants to do. I would love to be coached by him.”

Clarkson was among the North Melbourne staff to attend the national draft combine on Friday, but Curtin was one of a large number of top-end players to sit out testing.

The 18-year-old played a key role in a premiership for Claremont in the WAFL Colts last weekend, but suffered some hamstring awareness in the aftermath.

“It’s nothing too serious. It’s just nothing worth risking,” Curtin said.

Curtin could go in the top five of this year’s draft. Picture: Getty Images

Harley Reid (knee), Jed Walter (knee), Colby McKercher (foot), Nick Watson (foot) and Jake Rogers (back) were among other first-round draft prospects to be sidelined for the 2km time trial on Friday afternoon.

Sandringham Dragons wingman Tarkyn O’Leary blitzed the field as he ran a time of 5min 48sec.

O’Leary edged out Murray Bushrangers wingman Darcy Wilson (5min 52sec), while 200cm Gold Coast Suns Academy ruckman Ethan Read crossed the line in a time of 5min 56sec.

The draft hopefuls will be put through more club interviews and medical testing on Saturday, before completing agility, sprint and jump testing on Sunday.