West Coast Eagles rising star Harley Reid reaches next level to fill luckless veteran Elliot Yeo’s shoes

Harley Reid, the match-winner, has officially arrived for West Coast after the superstar produced arguably his best and most mature performance at AFL level. Much had been made of Reid’s evolution and fitness heading into the season, but the 20-year-old proved it was more than just talk after leading the Eagles to their second victory in as many weeks. Premiership hero Elliot Yeo was the catalyst of West Coast’s second-quarter fightback, but when he was sidelined with a groin injury at half-time, the Eagles’ hopes threatened to fade along with his impact. Reid stood tall in Yeo’s absence, proving that Robin was just as influential as Batman in a second-half performance that showed why he was the undisputed best of his draft class more than two years ago. The No.9 kicked two vital goals early in the second term and collected 12 influential disposals after half-time to lead from the front, ensuring a Zak Butters-led Port Adelaide wouldn’t steal victory from his team. Butters and Reid clashed throughout the contest, with the two midfield bulls trying to assert their dominance on Adelaide Oval in front of more than 30,000 fans. It wasn’t the number of disposals Reid collected that was telling, though, but it was the impact they had. Whether he was bustling the ball out of the contest or weaving in and out of Port Adelaide players, even landing his trademark “don’t argue” on one occasion — it was moments only a few players can produce. It was the kind of performance that is set to justify the incredible payday he will get next year after signing a two-year contract extension with the Eagles amid mammoth offers from Victorian clubs to return home. Reid teamed up with fellow No.1 draftee Willem Duursma and determined veteran Tim Kelly to get the better of the undermanned Port Adelaide. “Elliot’s second quarter was influential; it really helped us to turn the tide,” Eagles coach Andrew McQualter. “I thought Tim Kelly’s third quarter in particular was as good a football game as I’ve seen him play. I am really pleased for him, and the way he goes about his game, he’s strong. “Harley had huge moments and finished his work, which was awesome for him in quarter three, and Willem had some moments we expect to see of Willem, which is great.” Duursma — who had 20 disposals and a goal in only his third game — praised his housemate and mentor Reid for his ability to lead from the front for the younger group. “He was unreal. You’ve seen the work he’s putting in this off-season and it’s starting to show now. He’s only going to have a better year and play better games,” he told The West Australian. “It’s going to be quite amazing to see the development of Harley from here. “He’s showing his maturity as a player and as a person. He’s becoming a smarter player, he’s becoming a smarter person, and a better person as well. “The way he cares about all of us and knowing we’re a young group and he’s someone we need to look up to, he’s a great role model for all of us.”