Harley Reid: 2-Game Ban

Harley Reid, the 21-year-old West Coast Eagles midfielder, has opened up about the challenges of dealing with the intense hype surrounding his career. Reid, who was crowned West Coast club champion and awarded the John Worsfold Medal, will miss the first two games of the 2027 season due to a suspension for a dangerous tackle on Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe.

Reid's rise to fame began early, with the state's daily paper featuring him 25 times on its back page before he had even played a game. The midfielder made his debut with West Coast in 2024 at the age of 18, after being drafted at 17. Since then, he has been the centre of attention everywhere he goes.

The young player has spoken about the pressure of living in the spotlight, saying it is something he is still trying to work on. Despite this, Reid has learned to cope with the hype, saying he tries not to let it affect him too much and focuses on his preparation. He was recently awarded the Geoff Christian Medal as the ABC's best WA-based player, a testament to his skills on the field.

Reid's suspension has been a topic of controversy, with West Coast unsuccessfully challenging the two-game ban. The midfielder himself expressed disappointment with the outcome, jokingly referring to it as the 'WA tax' and suggesting that the result may have been different if he were playing in Victoria.

## What's Next Reid will have to wait until round three of the 2027 season to take to the field again. In the meantime, he will be working on his game, including trying to reduce the number of free kicks he concedes - an area where he currently holds the Eagles' record for most conceded in a season. Despite the challenges, Reid remains focused on his preparation and is looking forward to getting back on the field.

The hype surrounding Reid's career shows no signs of dying down, but the young player is determined to stay grounded and focused on his game. With his talent and dedication, he is sure to remain one of the most exciting players to watch in the AFL.