‘Hiding yourself away’: AFL great grills Harley Reid about one word in TV interview

West Coast Eagles young gun Harley Reid has been grilled about one topic in a TV interview amid sad revelations about the AFL star.

Harley Reid says it’s “tough” being the centre of attention in Perth as the AFL young gun was repeatedly grilled about “homesickness” in a TV interview.

Reid is the favourite for the AFL Rising Star award, kicked a sensational solo goal last weekend and is on track to break Dustin Martin’s record for the most broken tackles in a season.

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It’s fair to say the hype is real and plenty has happened already in Reid’s career, which is just nine games old.

The West Coast Eagles rookie didn’t travel with his team to the Gold Coast in Round 7, with the club letting Reid take time off to head home to Tongala in northern Victoria to see his family.

Reid told ABC Radio his recent birthday on April 17 had been his “worst birthday” while being unable to celebrate with his family.

“In April there’s three of our birthdays,” he said.

“I missed my sister’s, and mine too — I got to spend that on my own. It was probably the worst birthday.”

Watch Harley Reid being asked about homesickness in the video above

Harley Reid has had a blazing start to his AFL career. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The 19-year-old appeared on Channel 7’s Talking Footy program on Wednesday night and was asked multiple times about whether he was homesick and how he was coping in the “Perth fishbowl”.

“It’s obviously tough. It gets to you at stages,” Reid said about being the centre of attention around town.

“For me, it was kind of just taking it each stride as I go.

“It’s obviously hard, it’s daunting at such a young age like me.

“Just little things I can’t really do without someone there or someone watching. But I just try to let my footy do the talking.”

Tim Watson and Harley Reid.

Essendon legend Tim Watson asked “The homesickness part of all this, has that been the hardest part so far in your AFL career, to find yourself so far away from your family and all your friends back their in the country?”

Reid replied: “I don’t really feel like I’ve been homesick at all. You’re so busy over here and the club’s been huge with that remark.

“It’s been good to get away too obviously. You get into a new home, you learn new things — like I haven’t done life without my family. It’s good for change.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve felt homesick at all. I just felt like it was a great time throughout the year to get back and see my family and friends.”

Watson followed up: “Living in that fishbowl that is Perth, and (being) such a recognisable young man, and so many people over there in that city interested in the game, how do you find some down time for yourself?

“Are you finding that you’re hiding yourself away more than you ever have before just to get some freedom?”

Reid is the new prince of Perth. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Reid appeared momentarily stumped by the line of questioning, before replying: “That’s been a part of me that I’ve tried to do.

“Obviously I don’t really know Perth at all so I don’t really know where to go.

“But the club’s been huge. (Coach Adam Simpson) Simmo’s given me little outlets to go. I try get away when I can but you get pretty busy at times and you don’t really know what to do with yourself.”

Reid’s comments about missing home will undoubtedly be pounced on by Victorian clubs, while West Coast have already been urged to sign the youngster to a long-term deal.

The Eagles are undoubtedly wary of the cautionary tale of former No. 1 pick Jason Horne-Francis, who moved to Port Adelaide in his home state after just one year at North Melbourne.

Elsewhere in the interview, Reid showed his sense of humour in the interview, joking: “Sorry, who?” when asked whether he was a fan of co-host Joel Selwood, before explaining he was a huge fan of the Geelong champion.