The Rising Star of West Coast
Harley Reid, a young and promising talent in Australian Football League (AFL), is being touted as a potential future captain for the West Coast Eagles. This belief comes from Digby Beacham, a Western Australian sports journalist and co-host of Zero Hanger’s podcast, The Captain, The Outer Wing. Beacham has expressed his confidence in Reid’s capabilities and leadership qualities.
A New Era for the Eagles
Liam Baker and Liam Duggan have been appointed as co-captains of the club for the 2026 season. However, there is growing pressure on West Coast to accelerate their plans to make Reid the sole captain. Beacham emphasizes that the time is right for the club to focus on promoting Reid as the next leader of the team.
An Alpha Male in the Change Room
Beacham highlights that Reid is the “alpha male” within the West Coast change room. He points to Reid’s impressive performance against GWS, where he received 10 coaches’ votes and had a significant impact on the game. His performance in the last quarter was particularly noteworthy, and he contributed effectively to the scoreboard.
A Young Talent with Big Potential
Reid, who is just 21 years old, is set to play his 50th AFL game against Collingwood at the MCG. He was selected with the first pick in the 2023 draft and has shown great promise with his explosiveness and football intelligence. However, he still needs to work on his discipline as a midfielder, as he can be prone to getting hot-headed.
A Comparison to a Legend
Beacham draws a parallel between Reid and Wayne Carey, a former North Melbourne champion who was appointed captain at the age of 21. Despite some initial disciplinary issues, Carey’s leadership proved to be a masterstroke for the club. Beacham believes that West Coast should take a similar approach with Reid.
The Need for Immediate Action
Beacham urges West Coast to act quickly and recognize Reid as the club’s future captain. He believes that the club has invested heavily in Reid and sees him as the key to taking the Eagles to the “promised land.” While the exact timing of Reid’s captaincy is not specified, Beacham insists that it should happen sooner rather than later.
Conclusion
Harley Reid’s potential as a future captain of the West Coast Eagles is evident. With his talent, leadership qualities, and the support of experienced figures like Digby Beacham, Reid could be the next great leader for the club. The challenge now lies in ensuring that the Eagles recognize and nurture this potential to its fullest.
