Prized West Coast Eagles draftee Harley Reid says he and his team are here to compete in the here and now, stating: “We’re not here to rebuild”.
The Eagles got off the bottom of the ladder with their first win of the season against an injury-depleted Richmond outfit on Sunday, claiming a 39-point win at Optus Stadium.
Adam Simpson’s side has been better over the past fortnight than the first three weeks of 2024, and even what they’ve dished up for the large part of the past 24 months.
But the senior coach admitted earlier this year a rebuild “was on the cards” “to a level that’s pretty deep”.
Reid’s comments to SEN appear to contrast those of his senior coach.
He was asked whether his jumper grab against Brisbane in Gather Round after kicking his first goal was instinctive or planned. Reid suggested it was neither, and more of an effort to show his passion for playing well.
“Honestly, to me, it was more the grab the jumper to show that we’re here to play as a whole (team), we’re not waiting to rebuild. It’s now we’re wanting to make an impact on the league right now and try build this group from the get go and we’re not waiting,” Reid said on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“I think that was the moment in time for me to show that we’re doing it for the fans and we’re here to do it now.
“I feel like we’ve been able to string some good games together. We played high quality teams through the start to our season so I feel like there’s a lot more wins out there for us with the right step forward… hopefully we can keep collaborating as a whole and improving each week and taking that next step forward.
“Top eight is a bit of a stretch but I feel we can win a couple of games and get back on the right path to have a crack in next year. I think this year is something we’re all going to learn from.
“You look at our list, from young to old there’s a big gap in that in between mark but I feel from experience, we’ve got some great players still running around and doing their bit.”
“I love going out there and looking around and I’m playing alongside TK (Tim Kelly), Yeoy (Elliot Yeo), Baz (Bailey Williams) in the ruck, on the weekend it was just great to win.
“The reward for effort… we acknowledge Richmond was a bit undermanned but I still feel like there is plenty work to do but I’m seeing a lot of positive signs out there with our identity.
“I feel like the last couple of weeks I’ve been able to play a bit more with confidence and express myself a lot more and because I feel like those older boys are backing me in to play to my strengths and I think they know what I can do and I feel they’ve given me that licence to go out there and play like I play.”
Reid, 18, won this week’s Rising Star award for his best performance against the Tigers. In the last fortnight, he’s had 45 disposals, 11 clearances, nine inside 50s, eight tackles and two goals.
However, Reid turned down an opportunity to declare his long time loyalties to the Eagles.
The subject of much debate about the go-home factor prior to becoming the no.1 pick, Reid was asked: “There’s a chance you’ll stay there forever, is that fair to say?”
He replied: “Obviously I haven't really thought too far ahead or too much about that.
“But at this moment in time, obviously I’m just enjoying my time and trying to put my best foot forward to help the club get back to where it (was).”
Reid and the Eagles have their biggest clash of the year to date on Saturday night, coming up against cross-town rivals Fremantle in the Western Derby.