AFL
2 months ago
“I want to play with Harley”: Simpson reveals Eagles fielded calls from stars to play alongside Reid
By Andrew Slevison
Former West Coast coach Adam Simpson has revealed the club fielded phone calls from rival stars during the middle stages of the 2024 season.
The topic of conversation of those calls was Harley Reid.
The No.1 draft pick produced some scintillating footy at stages throughout his debut campaign, so much so that players from other clubs were making contact with the Eagles.
Simpson, who parted ways with the club in July, says Reid’s playing style was the subject of calls from opposition players who were keen to get a taste of the action.
“He’s generational,” Simpson said on SEN Breakfast.
“He’s just a hunter and he drags teammates with him.
“The fans, the number nine, the euphoria around that, that’s one thing, but the way he plays is infectious and you want to play with him
“We had several players, A-grade talent ringing us up until about Round 10. We beat Melbourne and then we beat Freo and in that little period…”
Garry Lyon asked: “So you had talent from other clubs ringing you to come to West Coast?”
Simpson replied: “Absolutely, yes.
“The conversation was, ‘I want to play with Harley’.
“Conversations like that were happening, but it did dry up a little bit (after some losses).”
Reid has been able to deal with the intense media attention that has come in his rookie season.
Simpson says it is a testament to his strong character.
“One thing about Harley is his character,” Simpson said further.
“In interviews with Harley we asked, ‘Why do you play the game?’, and he said, ‘I play to win and I play for my mates’. They’re the two best things, aren’t they?
“That sort of typifies his attitude towards the same. He keeps it very simple, a very relaxed kid, he’ll learn to be a pro in the coming years.
“He had to deal with a lot with his year. My son is the same age and he gets a pimple and he’s a bit worried. Harley is on the back page every day for 30 days in a row.
“Dealing with expectations, he’s done that as an 18-year-old and he’s done it pretty well.”
Simpson is confident that Reid’s loyalty will likely keep him in royal blue and gold for the foreseeable future amid expected eye-watering offers from rival clubs.
“You can’t talk to him about that because he’s 19 and he just wants to play footy, to play with his mates and play to win,” he added.
“That should never leave him, that should be his number one reason to play.
“I think he’s loyal. Now that’s not putting any pressure on the kid because he’s going to get a lot of opportunities (with offers), but he’s pretty loyal.”
Reid won the AFLPA’s Best First Year Player award at the recent AFL Awards night after averaging 18.6 disposals, five clearances and four tackles across 20 games in 2024.
