West Coast Eagles coach Andrew McQualter reveals plan to keep young star Harley Reid at club

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West Coast Eagles coach Andrew McQualter reveals plan to keep young star Harley Reid at club

West Coast coach Andrew McQualter says Harley Reid’s fitness is a work in progress as he reveals his plan to convince the rising star to abstain from the lure of returning to the eastern states.

It comes as rumours of Reid departing the Eagles at the end of his rookie deal hit overdrive after the youngster was spotted chatting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell at former West Coast premiership defender turned Hawk Tom Barrass’ wedding.

Reid has had an interrupted pre-season and was placed on a managed program ahead of round one, with concerns surrounding his fitness after returning from an off-season break.

The midfielder did feature in a pre-season win over North Melbourne in Bunbury, and while first-year head coach McQualter admitted Reid still had work to do on the eve of the season, he commended the 19-year-old’s “drive”.

“He’s going to be evolving from a physical point of view,” he told Channel 7’s Ryan Daniels.

“He’s had a bit of an interrupted pre-season, but what I’ve learned about Harley is that he’s really driven to get better. He got put up on a pedestal last year by a lot of people, and for a young kid, that’s tough.

“But from day one, when I’ve worked with him, he’s had a desire to get better. It’s not an overnight fix; he’s not going to become the fittest player in the league overnight. He’s a work in progress. He’s also got some strengths we’ll look to utilise.”

McQualter could also have a battle on his hands just to keep the future star in the Eagles’ nest, with multiple Victorian clubs set to gear up a bid to lure the young Victorian back to his home state after his rookie contract next season.

However, the former Tigers assistant said the key to building a relationship with all players was to build a relationship based on respect and challenge them to keep improving.

“It’s just about respect and building a relationship built off honesty and looking after each other and supporting each other, but importantly, my job is to challenge Harley as well,” McQualter said.

“He and I have had conversations around that and he’s been really receptive to it. He’s no different to any other player on our list. That’s my job with all of them.”

Reid hasn’t been the only youngster to catch the new coach’s eye, McQualter flagging a potential first-round debut for the club’s top 2024 draftee and Peel Thunder product Bo Allen while also praising all of West Coast’s first-year brigade.

Camera IconBo Allen and Archer Reid and of the Eagles leave the field. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

“To be honest, all of our first-year players have shown signs they’ll be good AFL players, which is really pleasing,” he said.

“The draft’s always difficult. They’re very young when they get drafted players these days, but the guys we’ve got this year have come into our system, worked really hard, they’re diligent and good prepares.

“Tom Gross, Lucca Grego, Malakai Champion, they’ve all shown bits and pieces. Jobe Shanahan, we know, can be a really terrific high-end talent as well, and Hamish Davis has shown signs he can be a terrific player as well.”

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