Fremantle’s Murphy Reid on Rising Star nomination, his footy IQ and ‘Reid of the Week’

Murphy Reid is just happy to be mentioned in the same sentence as his namesake Harley from the Eagles. But the Docker is looking like a 200-game star himself.

Murphy Reid is the round 6 Rising Star nominee. Picture: Getty Images

With the football field as his canvas, Murphy Reid is the AFL’s answer to an artist.

Be it a clever tap here or a creative disposal there, Reid has the gift of ingenuity.

It’s a trait you can’t teach and one that would leave his Sandringham Dragons coaches laughing in awe as yet another ambitious play came off.

And the round six AFL Rising Star nominee isn’t done adding to his bag of tricks.

“I played a couple of different sports when I was a kid – basketball and soccer growing up,” Reid told Code Sports.

Murphy Reid. Picture: Getty Images

“I have always tried to be creative and a bit different during games.

“I want to add a bit of flair and spark to the team. Hopefully, I’ll never lose that and I’d like to think it’s a strength of mine during the game.

“It’s instinct but I definitely practice my craft and touch during the week to make sure I’m clean. I think it’s built and built as I’ve gotten older.”

With a football IQ in the hundreds, talent experts say that Reid was the classiest player in the 2024 draft pool. He somehow slipped to pick 17 and Fremantle graciously accepted his services.

Reid all about him 📖

Enjoy round six @Telstra AFL Rising Star nominee, Murphy Reid’s highlights! pic.twitter.com/iXjZ2QIGPU

— AFL (@AFL) April 22, 2025

Despite a somewhat subdued reaction to hearing his name read out, Reid has wasted little time making a name for himself.

Be it kicking four goals in four minutes on debut against Geelong or nailing the sealer against the Western Bulldogs, the 18-year-old is playing like a 200-game star, not a first-year player.

“I want to play with confidence,” Reid said. “I’m obviously there for a reason.

“There’s no point going into my shell and playing scared footy. It’s been great to have the confidence of the coaches and my teammates as well.

“I’ve always had confidence in my game. It stems from working hard during the week and doing the extras so you don’t have to worry about anything going into the game on the weekend.

Reid enjoys one of his four goals on debut against the Cats. Picture: Getty Images

“I love the big games. I’ve really enjoyed playing in front of some bigger crowds. I always see it as another game. I don’t get too stressed out or anything but I try to thrive off the crowd’s energy. I want the ball in my hand in those big moments.”

In a two-team town, Reid has quickly adapted to the pressure and expectations of AFL football. He now gets stopped on the street by Fremantle fans for photos and he can still remember signing his first autograph.

There has been an unexpected consequence of being a Reid in Perth – the peril of comparison. With No.1 pick Harley and Archer at West Coast, a social media account dubbed ‘Reid of the Week’ has dedicated itself to ranking the Reid, Read and Reidy’s of the AFL.

Murphy doesn’t mind who the best Reid is, he’s just honoured to be compared to Harley.

“I haven’t been keeping track of it and wasn’t aware of it,” Reid said. “It’s obviously a bit of humour.

The weird weekend's results don't seem to have much impact on the main event, as we name Murphy Reid as Reid of the Week for the third time this season.

74 Fantasy points, 17 disposals, 1 goal, 418 metres gained, 6 inside 50s and 8 score involvements got the job done. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/QvFgZr3oh5

— Reid of the Week (@Eric97641035) April 20, 2025

“There’s a few Reid’s over here in Perth now so people sometimes think it’s a competition.

“To be recognised as being of a similar calibre to Harley who is obviously a star…to be mentioned in the same sentence as him is a pretty cool thing.”

Like Harley, Reid eventually sees himself evolving into a premium AFL midfielder.

“Down the track, I see myself as a midfielder but right now, I’m really enjoying playing at half-forward,” he said. “I love playing footy for the club and playing my role in the team.

“Playing a new position as a high-half-forward, I’ve had a lot of help from our cast of forwards and also our coach Jaymie Graham. They’ve helped me learn the craft up forward compared to being a midfielder growing up.

“Down the track, the club and I see me evolving into a midfielder when I come of age.”

It would be a fitting transformation given the last man to wear #16, games record holder David Mundy, is comfortably on the podium as one of Fremantle’s all-time greats.

“It’s a huge honour,” Reid said. “It probably belonged to one of the best, if not the best players to play for the club.

“He’s a star. To pull on the same number as him is a huge honour and hopefully, I can be half as good as him. There’s a lot to look up to and a lot to live by wearing that jumper.”

Originally published as Fremantle’s Murphy Reid on Rising Star nomination, his footy IQ and ‘Reid of the Week’