“Look out”: Why Cornes loved seeing pre-season Reid image

Kane Cornes loved seeing an image of Harley Reid posted by West Coast during the first week of pre-season training.

Cornes, who has often criticised the young star for an apparent lack of professionalism, was thrilled to see Reid looking in peak condition for his return to pre-season.

While Cornes doesn’t want to overreact to one small sign, he thinks that this could be proof that Reid is learning from his past missteps after admitting that he was already feeling and looking better than last off-season.

“I also noticed Harley Reid, because you sent me a picture which has been doing the rounds,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.

“I just think it's a great sign, and we don't want to get too carried away with time trial results or practice games.

“Every year, we probably fall into the trap of doing it and overreacting, but I think this is a big sign.

“This is a very, very promising sign after what he said and admitting to the errors that he had made previously in relation to his preparation in the first couple of years.”

Given that Reid has already shown some seriously impressive signs in his 39 AFL games so far without being as fit as he looks now, Cornes thinks that there’s every chance the former No. 1 pick can be an all-time great if he continues to commit off the field.

“If he gets fit, he can be as good as he wants to be. He can be an all-time great. It is up to him,” Cornes said.

“The talent level is there, which I've always said. What hasn't been there is the preparation and the dedication to be great.

“To see the way that he presented himself this early in November is a great sign, and one that, if he continues on this track, the sky's the limit of how good he can be.

“I did love seeing that yesterday, and if he continues to prepare himself this way, he's going to have a pretty fun ride as an Eagles great.”