Harley Reid’s manager, Nick Gieschen, has commented on suggestions his client would prefer to remain in Victoria.
It was reported earlier this week that the potential number one pick in this year’s draft has “essentially told West Coast that he doesn’t want to be drafted there”.
The suggestions came from journalist Sam McClure on the Tradies Podcast.
EAGLES RESPOND AS REPORT SUGGESTS HARLEY REID PREFERS TO STAY IN VICTORIA
However, Connor Sports Management’s Gieschen has refuted those claims, saying he has not spoken to Eagles list manager Rohan O’Brien about such a situation.
“Wrong, absolutely wrong,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“I speak to Rohan O’Brien every couple of days, I’ve got other players at West Coast, we have a great relationship.
“If there was ever any thought of that, I would get on the phone and speak to ‘Ro’ and have a chat about it. We’ve never had to because from our point of view it’s not an issue.
“Harley is open minded, he’s excited about what’s ahead and let’s just see what happens once the footy finishes.”
The Bendigo Pioneers and Vic Country gun would reportedly prefer to stay in Victoria, but Gieschen again denied those suggestions.
“In terms of him having a preference of staying in Victoria, he’s not from Victoria (Melbourne), he’s from country Victoria three hours out of Melbourne,” Gieschen added.
“Harley will go wherever the draft takes him.
“If it does end up in Perth, yeah, it’s a big move and it’s a lot to take in. That’s no different to a lot of the other interstate players they’ve drafted over the years - Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff, Campbell Chesser who we had a couple of years ago.
“It’s all part of being an AFL player and going through the draft process. He’s open minded, let’s get through the year and we’ll see what happens after that.”
Gieschen says he has not had a conversation with McClure regarding his comments.
He admits the situation has been “disappointing” and has taken a toll on the 18-year-old Reid.
“I was really surprised to hear his comments a couple of nights ago,” he added.
“I haven’t spoken to Sam directly. Harley hasn’t even sat down and met with West Coast yet, that’s still to happen.
“Certainly from our end there’s been no thought of picking up the phone to West Coast. Harley is really open minded.
“It is disappointing. Harley is a young man going through school and he’s actually really resilient, he’s really laid-back, but it has taken a bit of a toll.
“It’s not just what was said, it’s the follow-up, it’s all the social media stuff and the comments.
“He’s fine, he’s ok, he just wants to get on with footy.”
In conclusion, Kane Cornes believes Reid would prefer to be drafted by a Victorian club.
“Clearly the report was inaccurate, but if there was a preference and you asked the young kid where he wanted to be drafted to, it feels like to me reading between the lines that would be in Victoria,” he said.
“But often these kids don’t have a say in that.”
As it stands, the Eagles hold pick 1 for the 2023 draft, but it remains to be seen if other clubs will trade for the prized selection.