Fremantle forward Murphy Reid says he has been humbled by comparisons to Collingwood superstar Scott Pendlebury following his superb game against West Coast on Saturday.

Reid has had an instant impact since joining the Dockers as a first round draft pick but it’s been his ability to find space with the ball and use it well that led to teammate Jordan Clark comparing him to Pendlebury in The West Australian on Monday.

Reid barracked for Richmond but said he’d always tried to play like Pendlebury.

“Definitely. It’s how he’s always got time and space,” Reid said.

“He’s not the quickest guy but it’s how he can avoid tacklers and always hit the right target and bring his teammates into the game. They’re some amazing strengths. I’d like to say I try and do that in my game as well. He’s someone I looked up to

“It’s a fair calibre of player I’ve got to live up to. It’s awesome that I can be even be compared to someone as great as him.

“He’s got me in a fair few centimetres and a bit of size. I guess some of my strengths in my composure and what I can do with ball in hand are a bit similar to him. They’re probably not to the level of him but there are a couple of similarities there.”

Reid has rocketed into second favourite to win the AFL Rising Star award in a season where he has twice kicked four goals in a match.

He is vying with Adelaide’s Daniel Curtin and Brisbane’s Levi Ashcroft for the prestigious award.

Caleb Serong, Paul Hasleby and Rhys Palmer all won the Rising Star while playing for Fremantle, while teammates Luke Jackson and Jaeger O’Meara claimed the prize at other clubs, but Reid is doing his best to avoid being caught up in that hype.

“I’m just happy playing in the team and playing my role up forward. Every now and then I get a lick of the ice cream. I’m just having fun and enjoying my footy,” he said.

Reid signed a two-year contract extension last month which will keep him at Fremantle until 2029. His girlfriend and best friend have both moved to Perth to give him added support and he will celebrate his birthday with them on Wednesday.

Reid has made his name as a half-forward this season but has aspirations to become a midfielder and is doing extra work to prepare for that opportunity.

“The coaches are big on me doing vision with the mids and getting a few centre-bounce hits after training and going to see the mids coach,” he said.

“I’m just keeping that going on in the background because that’s a bigger picture thing. I’m mostly working with the forwards for the time being Hopefully in the future you might see me through there.”