Harley Reid reveals sad news about his family life as he stamps himself as the AFL’s newest superstar
Human highlight reel Harley Reid has revealed why he had to return home to see his family in rural Victoria after making a sensational start to his AFL career.
Reid, last year’s No. 1 draft pick, has taken to the water like a duck and has truly announced himself as a special player for West Coast.
His performances have injected life into the Perth club after the team previously failed to win consecutive games since Rounds 18 and 19 in 2021, and many are already giving Reid a shot at the Brownlow Medal.
However, instead of traveling to the Gold Coast with his teammates in round seven, Reid was given time off to travel home to Tongala in northern Victoria.
His absence was questioned by a number of pundits and fans, including ex-Swans star Paul Roos, who said the break was ridiculous.
Rising star Harley Reid returned to Tongala in northern Victoria in round seven with a serious case of homesickness
Reid says he needed to see his family (pictured together in the AFL draft), who he has missed terribly since moving to Perth
The 19-year-old has now revealed the sad reason why he needed the trip.
‘There are three of our (family) birthdays in April. I missed my sister’s and mine too, I have to spend that myself. It was probably the worst birthday,” Reid told ABC.
“It was good to be back and I felt like I got to see the family… it was good to connect with them there again.
“Sometimes on your day off you’d love to drive around and see your family, but obviously you can’t, so it was good to go home for the weekend and see the family.”
‘I’m 19, I’ve never left home before, so I don’t know anything else without my parents and my family.’
Reid caused another social media meltdown on Sunday with a series of mesmerizing highlights in West Coast’s shock 16.9 (105) to 10.10 (70) victory over Melbourne.
The No. 1 draft pick produced a candidate for goal of the year when he burned Christian Petracca on a middle clearance and got three bounces before really kicking out from 45 yards out.
Reid drove the crowd wild again in the third quarter when he produced a double parry, using his left hand to get rid of Clayton Oliver before using his right to tame Petracca.
The Rising Star favorite produced another breathtaking moment later in the season when he pushed off his opponent and grabbed the bouncing ball with one hand before sprinting forward to score his second goal.
The young man says his 19th birthday last month was the worst he’s ever had
The West Coast’s No. 1 draft pick is off to an explosive start to the 2024 season
Lachie Neale has joined the Harley Reid fan club, with the double Brownlow medalist impressed by the teen sensation’s highlights and jealous of his physical attributes.
“He’s a pretty special talent. I love that kid,” former Fremantle Docker Neale told reporters on Monday when quizzed about the Eagles’ new hero.
“It’s good to see what he did last night.
“Some of his highlights already in (nine) games are unbelievable.”
Neale, winner of the Brownlow Medal in 2020 and 2023, has made a name for himself as an accumulator and damaging ball user.
But the 255-match champion sees qualities in Reid that he could only wish for.
“I wouldn’t mind having his strength and physicality. Those features would be nice,” Neale said.
‘It’s quite special to see how a young player like him does that. He’s going to be a superstar for a long time.”