{"id":3184,"date":"2025-07-18T13:12:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T13:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/3184\/"},"modified":"2025-07-18T13:12:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T13:12:14","slug":"it-will-be-on-for-young-and-old-tigers-ready-for-reid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/3184\/","title":{"rendered":"It will be on for young and old: Tigers ready for Reid"},"content":{"rendered":"

West Coast star Harley Reid’s discipline has become a talking point, but he has his team’s backing. (Richard Wainwright\/AAP PHOTOS)<\/p>\n

Richmond coach Adem Yze says Harley Reid is a special player that requires special plans, but Eagles players have vowed to have the young star’s back if those tactics become physical.<\/p>\n

Reid produced his best display of the season in last week’s 26-point loss to Port Adelaide, tallying a team-high 27 disposals and six clearances to go with a goal.<\/p>\n

But the performance didn’t come without controversy, with Reid fined $6250 for a kick-trip on Travis Boak that Essendon legend James Hird said deserved to be a three or four-week suspension.<\/p>\n

Reid’s heated battle with Jason Horne-Francis was also a big talking point.<\/p>\n

The young Eagle reportedly sledged the Port star with words to the effect of “go back to mummy, you left after one year”, in reference to Horne-Francis lasting just one season at North Melbourne before seeking a trade back to his home state of South Australia.<\/p>\n

“He is a young kid who plays with a whole heap of passion, he’s sticking up for his football club.”<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f Daisy and Hodgey are backing in Harley Reid pic.twitter.com\/nkjilgtFkf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 7AFL (@7AFL) July 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

It came a week after Reid was physically targeted by GWS players during his heated battle with star Giants midfielder Tom Green.<\/p>\n

Reid will again be the centre of attention in Saturday night’s clash with Richmond at Optus Stadium, and Yze is well aware of the challenge that lays ahead for the Tigers.<\/p>\n

“Well, special attention because he’s a special player,” Yze replied when asked what attention will be paid to Reid.<\/p>\n

“We can’t have him being best on ground. Last time we played, when he played well, they hit the scoreboard and got a lot of momentum.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The main thing is playing hard. He’s a tough player, and he’s very good at footy, so denying him access at centre bounce (is important).<\/p>\n

“He’ll be just another one of the West Coast players that we need to target. It’s going to be on for young and old.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Young Eagles midfielder Clay Hall said he and his teammates would have Reid’s back.<\/p>\n

“That’s something I’d love to do for someone who is a fellow draftee of mine,” Hall said.<\/p>\n

“We’re the same age, and to watch how much he cops it on the field and then off the field as well in terms of media, it’s a little bit unfair at times.<\/p>\n

“So we’ll support him as much as we can. He’s one of my best mates around the club.”<\/p>\n

Reid has given away a whopping 52 free kicks across 17 games this season, and he has now been fined 13 times so far in his 37-game career, as well as copping a two-week ban for a dangerous tackle last year.<\/p>\n

\"(L-R)
\n Harley Reid and GWS’ Tom Green tangle in the round 17 clash at Optus Stadium. (Richard Wainwright\/AAP PHOTOS)<\/p>\n

West Coast coach Andrew McQualter is doing his best to encourage Reid to maintain his intense competitiveness while playing within the rules.<\/p>\n

If West Coast (1-16) are any hope to avoid the wooden spoon, they simply must defeat 17th-placed Richmond (4-13).<\/p>\n

The Eagles have recalled midfielder Tim Kelly following his one-week stint in the WAFL, while Liam Ryan and Jack Petruccelle are the other inclusions, with Elijah Hewett rested.<\/p>\n

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