West Coast coach Adam Simpson has described Harley Reid because the “new toy” for Eagles followers, and he has a key piece of recommendation for the 19-year-old: ‘Just go on the market and have enjoyable.’
Reid despatched social media into meltdown but once more on Sunday with a sequence of mesmerising highlights in West Coast’s shock 16.9 (105) to 10.10 (70) win over Melbourne.
The No.1 draft decide produced a goal-of-the-year contender when he burned off Christian Petracca at a centre clearance with three bounces earlier than kicking actually from 45m.
Reid despatched the group wild once more within the third quarter when he produced a double fend-off – utilizing his left hand to do away with Clayton Oliver earlier than utilising his proper hand to tame Petracca.
The Rising Star favorite produced one other show-stopping second later within the time period when he got rid of his opponent and gathered the bouncing ball with one hand earlier than sprinting ahead to kick his second objective.
Reid was labelled a future famous person within the mould of Richmond nice Dustin Martin even earlier than he was drafted.
The hype has solely continued to develop, however Simpson is doing his greatest to maintain a lid on issues.
“He’s carrying a heavy weight at the moment,” Simpson mentioned.
“I’m really trying to be cautious about how much attention he gets.
“But when he performs like that – it simply seemed like he had enjoyable tonight, and that is our objective for him – to get pleasure from being an AFL participant.
“When he’s enjoying the game for what it is and playing to his strengths, then we’re all happy.
“And if he performs properly, we might take that, but when he would not, then that is OK too. He’s 19.”
Reid’s arrival has played a huge role in reconnecting West Coast fans with the team after two torrid years.
Simpson can feel the buzz, and other players are feeding off the energy too.
“We’re attempting to attach with that crowd as a lot as we are able to, and I believe it is an actual benefit,” Simpson mentioned.
“Harley clearly is the brand new toy, he is fairly good to play with.”
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin was full of praise for Reid too.
“Clearly he is an extremely thrilling participant and I can perceive why there’s a lot hype round him,” Goodwin mentioned.
“He’s so dynamic and he can hit the scoreboard.
“We had some plans in terms of what we wanted to do with him.
“But as soon as you place him in house in a stoppage state of affairs the place there’s some house, he is extremely gifted, he is fast and he is highly effective, and he will get the ball out into house.
“He’s someone that we didn’t handle well and I’m sure a lot of clubs looking at how they can handle him best.”
West Coast are an opportunity to regain gun midfielder Elliot Yeo for Sunday’s conflict with the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
