By Peter Ryan
In today’s AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- Harley Reid and West Coast asked to explain his one-fingered salue to Gabba crowd.
- Relief for Cats, Tom Stewart could play this week despite knee worries.
The AFL have issued West Coast with a “please explain” over the offensive gesture young midfielder Harley Reid made to the crowd during the Eagles’ narrow loss to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday.
The talented 19-year-old gave “the bird” to a member of the crowd after earning his team a downfield free kick. He had a smile on his face as he made the gesture and the crowd engaged in the byplay.
Harley Reid gave the Brisbane crowd the finger.Credit: Fox Footy
His coach Andrew McQualter played down the incident after the game saying everyone needed to calm down.
“We try to bash the theatre out of this game sometimes don’t we? He’s just having a bit of fun. Sometimes that’s good for the game I think,” McQualter said.
Reid has had an unspectacular start to the season after an interrupted pre-season. He is one of just three players (the Bulldogs Rhylee West and Giants’ Lachie Keeffe) to have conceded seven free kicks in their first two matches in 2025. Three Sydney players have given away seven free kicks in their first three matches.
Tom Stewart was subbed out against St Kilda but remains a chance to play the Lions. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Tom Stewart cleared of major injury
Geelong defender Tom Stewart has been cleared of structural damage to his right knee after being subbed out with a suspected PCL injury against the Saints on Saturday night.
The news is a relief to the premiership Cat who remains a test to play against the Lions on Saturday night at the Gabba, in the match that was rescheduled from opening round due to the threat of Cyclone Alfred.
Football manager Andrew Mackie said the club would determine Stewart’s availability after he trained this week.
“In positive news, scans on Monday morning have ruled out any serious injury to Tom’s right knee,” Mackie said.
“With two training sessions remaining before we head to Brisbane, Tom will be closely monitored throughout the week and will be a test to play against the Lions on Saturday night.”
The Cats will need to be as close to full strength as possible against the reigning premiers with wingman Bailey Smith also a chance to return from a calf injury that forced him to miss round two after being best on ground in his first game with Geelong in round one.
Veteran midfielder and running defender Mitch Duncan played well in the VFL on Sunday and could be considered to play against the Lions. Duncan is four matches away from reaching them 300 game milestone.
Key forward Jeremy Cameron received treatment on his calf during the match, but the club was not concerned about his availability.
Geelong had seven players who had played 22 matches or fewer in their team against the Saints as they attempt the tricky task of transitioning their list while still competing.
Ted Clohesy replaced Smith against the Saints and performed well when he came on as a substitute.
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