An expert says West Coast sensation Harley Reid has a winning desire “in spades” following the rookie onballer’s latest prolific performance.
Reid recorded 21 disposals at 91 per cent efficiency, seven clearances, five inside-50s and two goals — one of which is the leading contender for goal of the year — in a shock 35-point win over flag candidate Melbourne on Sunday.
The 19-year-old has averaged 17.9 disposals and 4.8 clearances across his nine AFL games thus far, though his impact on games and influence on West Coast can’t be measured by disposal efficiency or metres gained.
“Some players play like winners, and they drag people who are fumbling and bumbling their way through games of football saying ‘Come with me. Play with the passion and energy I am playing with and who knows where it will take us’,” was what two-time Kangaroos premiership player David King observed.
“The will to win is impossible to measure. This guy has it in spades.”
King believes Reid’s aura will play a critical part in luring more talent to Western Australia to “get on this ride”, while he made sure to give coach Adam Simpson his flowers.
“You’ll be able to attract players to your club now on the back of what this one guy is doing,” King said.
“Come and play with him. Come and get on this ride for a decade or more — it’s such a marketable place now.
“A lot of people came for Adam Simpson really quickly and really severely. I think a lot of credit has got to go to the back office.
“They could have walked him out multiple times. They stuck fat, these are the results. This is what good clubs do; other clubs panic.
“It’s a very strong football club.”
