Harley Reid is the most inconsistently umpired player in the competition by that far, it’s not funny.

The AFL a few weeks ago warned clubs, players and coaches against speaking out about the league’s whistleblowers and the quality of decision-making. Eagles coach Andrew McQualter, therefore, couldn’t talk about it after Friday night’s derby – other than to say his club would “get some clarity if we think there’s some inconsistency in the way Harley’s been treated”.

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But to have a player who, I think, is umpired differently to other players? That’s one of the biggest issues you can have – and it needs to be highlighted and sorted out.

The treatment of Reid is there for everyone to see when you watch a West Coast game.

There’s the obvious free kicks he gives away because of his natural on-field approach. Little knees and off-the-ball hits – like what we saw against Fremantle on Friday night – are things he needs to look at. He must adjust his technique and/or mindset.

But my frustration lies more with the run-of-the-mill free kicks – both for and against – involving Reid, such as when he’s at stoppage and the ball in his hands.

It seems like when there’s a 50-50 free kick potentially against Reid, he’s penalised more often than not. There’s no grey area for him.

Harley Reid of the Eagles. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Take the first free kick in Friday night’s derby. Reid laid a hip and shoulder on Matt Johnson – delivered just as the Docker was kicking the ball – and a down-field free kick was paid. There was a millisecond in it.

Fast forward to the third quarter and the same thing happened, this time when Reid was the ball-carrier. He kicked the ball forward before Sam Switkowski bumped him milliseconds later. Reid hit the turf … and ‘play on, nothing to see’.

Reid multiple times on Friday night took players on and was aggressive with ball in hand – which is how he plays – yet wasn’t rewarded with high free kicks when they were there. It feels like a common theme for Reid, who doesn’t seem to be awarded many high frees.

I also heard intriguing audio on Friday night while working for Fox Footy from the umpires comms. It was at a defensive 50 stoppage for West Coast, so Reid was a defensive midfielder. Now, in no world should umpires be primarily focused on Reid in that setting, because he’s the one who’s manning up. If you’re focusing on someone, it’s a forward or a midfielder that’s going for the goals. But I heard repeatedly from the umpires: ‘I’ve got Harley, I’m watching Harley’ – all while Reid was standing there by himself.

I don’t understand why there should be an increased focus on Reid – and all these calls – and non-calls – show that. How is that a thing in our game?

ALLOW HARLEY TO PLAY LIKE HARLEY

Reid draws attention from everybody.

From the opposition, because he’s West Coast’s best player.

From Eagles fans, because of the way he approaches the contest.

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From opposition fans, because opposition fans love to hate the player that’s doing well against them.

I believe some players get more attention from umpires than others. It’s why some players get more Brownlow votes than others: They play in a way that catches your eye.

Umpires are human, that’s fine. But to the point where, in my opinion, they’re umpiring Reid differently when he has the ball or is approaching others with the ball? That’s an issue. Like, a massive issue.

Yes, he has a swagger and confidence and aggression that others don’t. But that shouldn’t mean a free kick is not a free kick if he’s taken high. It shouldn’t mean that a free kick is given against him when it’s simply not there.

West Coast must make it a priority to allow Harley Reid to play like Harley Reid – like a Toby Greene, Zak Butters and James Sicily. These sorts of players are different to Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps, but they’re just as good and valuable – and they’ve all been captains of their respective clubs this year.

Clubs like the Giants, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn all know that’s what they get with these stars – and it’s something they have to continually deal with. I don’t think any of those players have ever fully got a handle on it, because you still see glimpses of them flirting with the line.

Harley Reid of the Eagles tackles Sam Switkowski of the Dockers. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

For instance, Sicily went over the edge earlier this season against the Western Bulldogs and the Hawks ended up losing the game, in part, because Sicily couldn’t find the balance. Butters is a chirper, a talker, a scrapper – but he then does the brilliant things.

But more often than not, you’re going to take the good over the bad.

It’s why the Eagles shouldn’t be trying to curtail Reid’s aggression and physicality because he’s given away too many free kicks. You should be allowing him to play the way he wants to play.

GROWING UP

Reid, overall, has shown a lot more maturity this year. The simple reason for that? He’s a year older.

I think people forget how young he is still. He’s only 21, so he’ll continue to grow, improve and wise up as the years go on.

The difference between this year and other years is Reid’s efforts and aggression are regularly directed towards the ball and at clearance. In the past 10 weeks, he’s averaged 7.9 clearances per game – ranked No.1 in the competition. He’s playing outstanding footy in an ordinary side.

I don’t think we’ll ever see Reid playing or acting like a Bontempelli or a Cripps. He’s always going to be on this edge of what’s right and wrong and giving free kicks away because of how his on-field style. But that’s how he’s become such an elite player.

Reid is a future captain of West Coast and a future Brownlow Medallist. He shouldn’t have to change the way he plays because umpires feel a need to adjudicate him differently to others. He’ll reap the benefits of making sure he stays true to himself.

WHERE TO NOW?

Still, the Eagles must strongly pursue clarity over whether Reid is being officiated inconsistently – because it’s fundamental to ensuring our sport is fair. You can’t have instances where a free kick isn’t paid because of who the player is or how they play.

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The trouble we’ve got is players and coaches are, not only disallowed from criticising, but even speaking about officiating. No one at West Coast can speak about it. You’re not going to hear about it from the umpires. The AFL, I think, will try and deal with this behind closed doors.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon on Monday said Reid was “worth the price of admission” but insisted he was not umpired differently. Then when asked if he had any advice for Reid to fix his for-against free kick imbalance, Dillon said with a smile: “Stop giving away free kicks.”

But it’s the free kicks he isn’t getting that’s the issue. So saying “don’t give away free kicks” is a bizarre response.

The AFL must strongly look at this. If not, the Eagles must keep pushing until it does.

Because it’s more than just by the eye now. It’s definitely happening.

There’s a different set of rules for Harley Reid than there is for others.