Prospective 2023 no.1 draft pick Harley Reid has doubled down on his position that he’s happy to be drafted to the West Coast Eagles in response to a report earlier this week.
For much of this year and longer, Reid has been labelled the clear standout of the 2023 draft class and will likely be taken with the first pick of the National Draft in November.
The 18-year-old has been compared to Tigers superstar Dustin Martin in showing elite explosiveness across a dominant season for the Bendigo Pioneers.
But much of the narrative surrounding Reid in recent months has been his willingness to go to any club in the draft. With the Eagles holding the first pick, Nine’s Sam McClure was the first to float months ago that West Coast was aware Reid didn’t want to head to the wooden spooners of 2023.
He doubled down on Wednesday, telling the Tradies podcast: “They’re not going to pick him (Reid). He doesn’t want to go there.
“(North Melbourne) don’t need pick one, they’re going to get him at two.
“I’m telling you, they’re not going to pick him.”
Responding to that report, without stating he specifically wanted to go, Reid said he would happily join the Eagles.
“I actually heard that one yesterday, it kind of rolled me,” Reid admitted.
“To all the West Coast people listening, I don’t know how many times I’ve had to say it or how much clearer I can be, but I’m happy to go to the Eagles and I’m super grateful to be in the position I am.
“Obviously everything over there seems like a great opportunity and a great experience with what Perth has to offer.
“He (McClure) obviously doesn’t really like me, I don’t think.”
In further expressing his discontent at the reporting on his motivations, when asked what makes him more angry than it should, Reid replied with a laugh: “Sam McClure.”
Despite the hype surrounding the dynamic midfielder, Reid credited friends for keeping him level headed.
“It’s been tough at times but with me, I’m pretty laid back, cruisy guy. I take my days pretty slowly and pretty gradually with what’s in front of me, so I’m super grateful for the people around me with my friendship, my friendship group and great network and support system around to me to lean back on and get my head away from the noise and the stuff that’s on social media,” he said.
Reid hasn’t met with Adam Simpson but did confirm he had dialogue with West Coast at the draft combine earlier this month.
He also expressed his desire to take number nine if drafted by West Coast, which was most recently vacated by Nic Naitanui and famously worn by Ben Cousins.
“I’d love to have the honour to wear that number It’d be huge and to put that on, that would mean so much to me… the two greats that have worn that jumped,” he explained.
Multiple clubs aside from North Melbourne have expressed interest in acquiring pick one, including Melbourne and Hawthorn.