West Coast Eagles ‘cornered’ over growing Harley Reid issue

Serious questions are being raised over Harley Reid with the West Coast Eagles being left caught between a rock and a hard place.

Serious questions are being raised over Harley Reid with the West Coast Eagles reportedly facing a tough dilemma.

Reid was once again in the spotlight during the club’s round two loss after he was caught flipping off a heckling Lions fan.

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The 19-year-old has endured a tough start to the 2025 season which has only amplified the spotlight on him.

The ongoing turmoil surrounding Reid and his swirling contract situation has the club caught between and a rock and a hard place according to Jay Clark.

“West Coast is in quite the tight spot with Harley Reid. On one hand, they’re trying to shield him from all the media scrutiny, and essentially cuddle him into re-signing and staying at the club. But at what point does he need some tough love, a firmer approach? Clark said on Fox Footy’s First Crack.

“I think West Coast is cornered with this contract situation with Harley Reid; they’re desperate for him to stay.

“We know he’s a talented footballer, I’m not disputing that. But is he an undisciplined footballer? Is he an unhappy footballer?

“Is he a distracted footballer? Did he come back to the club over summer in great shape? I don’t think so. Rival clubs are all at the moment saying: ‘Harley Reid is coming back, he’s leaving West Coast’.”

Reid has been in the spotlight all season long. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Channel 7’s Kane Cornes echoed the sentiment raised by Clark that the Eagles star is not in playing shape.

“There’s an issue with Harley Reid and this is part of it, seven free kicks again today,” Cornes said on The Wash Up.

“Maybe it’s too strong to say he’s a liability but he was today.

“He’s undisciplined, he’s giving away free kicks. When he does he’s laughing, he interacted with the crowd and gave them the bird.

“Young players make mistakes we get that, but how hard are they coaching him or are they too scared to coach him?

“He didn’t touch the footy in the first quarter, he’s clearly not fit enough and they just need to be more demanding of him.

“He’s 19, I get that it’s harsh criticism. But this is AFL footy, you’re in the big leagues now … you’ve been there for a little while.

“Are they too scared to coach him hard for the fact he might leave and go back to Melbourne or are they going to try and make the most out of his career and get him there quicker than perhaps the path he is on right now.”

Two-time North Melbourne premiership star David King believes the speculation is only being amplified because of Reid’s lacklustre play.

“You can’t do all this and not perform. You can handle free kicks against, you can handle the odd 50 metre penalty … if you’re performing,” King said on Fox Footy’s First Crack.

“Today, they were screaming out for five minutes of brilliance from this guy, the game was in the balance for 30 minutes. If he had of just applied himself for 10, it’s a different story (and) you’re not having this conversation.

“It’s a fine line. I don’t think a tough conversation will cost you the player; if he can’t handle that, what’s his worth?”

Reid and the Eagles will return to action on Sunday night when they take on Fremantle in the Western Derby at Optus Stadium.