Eagles back $20-million man Reid to handle the hype

Perth Now

3 days ago

The numbers are eye-watering, but West Coast coach Andrew McQualter is confident Harley Reid won't feel a burden upon becoming the highest-paid player in the AFL.
Reid's contract status has hit the headlines again this week after his manager Nick Gieschen flew to Perth to have further talks with the Eagles.
They have tabled a number of different-length deals to Reid, whose current contract runs out at the end of 2026.
One is reportedly worth in the vicinity of $24 million over 11 years, with Victorian clubs also willing to offer long-term deals in excess of $2 million a season.
Reid is already one of the most talked about players in the league, but can the 20-year-old Victorian handle being the highest paid?
When the $20 million-plus figure was put to McQualter, the first-year coach was quick to compare it to how much he himself was paid during his final season as a player in 2012.
"My 45,000 on the Gold Coast," McQualter quipped with a laugh.
When asked about the burden of Reid becoming the highest-paid player in the league, McQualter said the pressure came from being the best, rather than the money being earned.
"For me, I'll take the contract out of it, because I think it's irrelevant," McQualter said.
"It's when you're one of the best players in the competition - there's a burden that comes with it, and that's for anyone.
"That's what comes with being a great player in our competition, and it's the skill of being able to cope with that.
"We train that from a mental perspective. It's challenging, but the best players embrace it, and they go about their business, which I'm sure Harley will be one of those."
Reid will be the centre of attention yet again when he lines up in Saturday's western derby against Fremantle.
The star midfielder has hit top form in recent weeks, and his performance in the round six derby last year will still be front of mind for Fremantle fans.
Reid tallied 19 disposals, seven clearances and three goals to lead the Eagles to an upset 37-point win, and Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said he's well aware of the "threat".
"He's a good player. He's one of the most exciting, promising young players in the comp," Longmuir said.
Given it's a Fremantle home game, Reid is set to cop plenty of boos.
Reid has a tendency to get caught up in battles with rival players or the crowd, but he showed a great deal of restraint and maturity during last week's 49-point loss to Richmond.
"I think he certainly embraces it," McQualter said of the booing.
"It's a lot for a young man to have that attention, but he seems to cope with it pretty well, and he's getting better.
"Last week, when he got thrown into a security guard, he just went and gave a fist bump to the security guard and moved on, which was pleasing to see."