Harley Reid prepared to commit to West Coast, but only with the security of a long-term trigger

As Harley Reid adjusts to life in Perth, the young superstar is willing to stay at the Eagles, but only on one condition which would make him one of footy’s highest-paid stars.

Harley Reid is keen to sign a new deal at West Coast but only with the security of a long-term trigger which gives him the chance to earn over $20 million at the Eagles.

Reid’s manager Nick Gieschen returned home from a weekend in Perth where he again discussed Reid’s future with West Coast.

As reported by the Herald Sun, Gieschen has put a series of counter-proposals to the Eagles with one of them a two-year deal with a nine-year trigger, as Reid becomes more comfortable with living in Perth.

It would see Reid earning as much as $24 million across that contract.

Harley Reid’s future remains unclear. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

But while there are a series of contract proposals that would satisfy him, it is understood he is not prepared to sign just a standard two-year extension past his current three-year mandatory deal, which expires at the end of 2026.

This would allow financial security of a long-term option that would also protect him in the case of injury or a downturn in form.

Despite speculation that he’s still considering his future, it is now up to West Coast to decide whether they are all in on Reid as the centrepiece of their list rebuild.

Reid has told teammates that while he could easily see himself playing at the Eagles for the next few years, he is less open to playing out his entire career in Perth.

But a deal with options to lock him in allows the club five full seasons to convince him his future is in Perth and gives Reid financial security if he ignores rival Victorian offers in three years time.

The Eagles also have to take into account his popularity and marketability, while also considering that the salary cap and marketing fund (ASAs) combined will hit $20millionper clubwithin two seasons.

Reid is likely out for the rest of the season with a syndesmosis injury but has proved his worth with a series of barnstorming performances in recent weeks while being heavily tagged.

While industry insiders have suggested the counter-offer has been pitched as Reid’s camp using maximum leverage, he will get similar offers from Victorian clubs.

While Essendon and Hawthorn have publicly suggested $2 million a year is too much to pay for Reid, he is already getting expressions of interest of that scope from Victorian clubs.

Reid’s contract is currently paying him a remarkably less than what he will eventually earn, handed a base contract of $130,000 last year and $4000 per game in match payments.

In his third season the Eagles are able to hand him a marketing allocation as well as his mandatory contract but from 2027 onwards he is able to be paid whatever clubs believe is fair worth.

Reid was injured in the Eagles’ Derby loss. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Essendon boss Craig Vozzo made clear on Friday the Dons were still keen on Reid despite speculation they had gone cold.

“We are out to market strongly,” Vozzo said.

“We are open for business. Whatever we can do to extract the best outcomes, picking early, splitting picks, trading for high end talent in areas of need. We are definitely open to all sorts of machinations.

“We had a bit of a laugh the other day when it came out. I rang Nick Gieschen personally to apologise. There was something about Essendon not being happy with regards to Harley.”

Essendon would still seem back in the pecking order if the Eagles decline to tick off that long-term deal and he requests a trade this year.

Hawthorn has long had strong interest in Reid and he has a relationship with coach Sam Mitchell, with the Hawks desperate to boost their A grade stars while retaining their outstanding depth.