AFL journalist Sam McClure believes prospective number one draft pick Harley Reid and his camp have begun to suggest he may wish to stay in Victoria.
Given the Eagles’ tumultuous season it had previously been suggested Reid should consider telling them he wishes to avoid the club, and McClure believes West Coast is aware of his preference.
“Rumours in the industry have been circling for weeks now and I’ve had it put to me on very good authority from multiple people that I trust, that Harley Reid has essentially told West Coast that he doesn’t want to be drafted there,” McClure told the Tradies Podcast.
“I want to be really specific for our listeners – I’m not dressing this up and I’m not saying Harley has called someone at the Eagles and said ‘don’t draft me’, it’s never that dramatic – but I think some conversations that are starting to develop between the people that represent him … his uncle has been doing a lot of the negotiations along with his manager Nick Gieschen.
“So there’s always a degree of grey in this and I’m not saying anything explicit, so if I end up getting quoted here I’m not saying Harley or his uncle or Nick or anyone in his management has called West Coast and said ‘don’t draft him’.
“What I’m saying is that obviously he’s going to be the number one pick. I think there are conversations starting to go on with clubs that are interested and with the people connected to Harley that ‘look he may end up being the best version of himself if he stayed in Victoria’.
“Bailey Smith had the exact same conversations with clubs at the same time. It’s not against the rules, it’s just something that’s starting to happen a little bit more as these teenagers start to have a bit more of a status in the public eye.
“Harley Reid is taking selfies and signing autographs at Under 18s games and school games and has been for 12 months.
“We’re more willing to have those discussions around ‘well maybe he doesn’t have to go to West Coast’.
“I think West Coast are aware that Harley would prefer to stay in Melbourne. That’s coming from people connected directly to Harley. That doesn’t mean they won’t take him. It also doesn’t mean they’re being told not to take him.
“Managers and players and families are just trying to be upfront probably because that power dramatic has gone towards the players.”
West Coast footy boss Gavin Bell has responded to McClure’s report, saying he is unaware of any of the above.
“No I’m not (aware of that),” Bell told SEN WA Mornings.
“Now that the State Championships are finished our recruiting team is going back through all their assessments of the players, and we’re starting to frame up our draft board and our communication between agents and players has begun and we’ve had no communication from any players of a lack of willingness to come to our football club.”