West Coast’s hopes of locking in Harley Reid are edging closer to reality, with the No.1 draft pick instructing his management to only deal with the Eagles as contract talks heat up.
Reid, taken with the top selection in 2023, has quickly become the centrepiece of the club’s rebuild and appears set to commit his future to Perth.
Speaking on SEN’s Crunch Time, reporter Sam Edmund revealed discussions have shifted decisively in the Eagles’ favour. “I think it is moving in a direction that’s positive for West Coast for the last several weeks,” Edmund said.
“He has instructed his management to deal with just West Coast at the moment. They’re in the cut and thrust of the deal at the moment. Whether it be two (years), four (years) or who knows.”
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Length of deal looms large
The key detail yet to be finalised is contract length. Reid is said to prefer a two-year deal with a trigger for a nine-year extension, while the club’s hierarchy would rather frame it as a two-year agreement with the option of nine more.
Either way, the result could be a decade-long commitment to the Eagles, a major win for a side desperate for stability after a difficult few seasons.
Former coach Adam Simpson urged West Coast to move quickly. “You just want to get it done so there’s a little bit of positivity,” he said. “Ideally, it’s done this week, so there’s some springboard (and) enthusiasm to the next season.”
The Eagles close out their campaign against Sydney at Optus Stadium this weekend, and fans will be hoping Reid’s signature arrives just as swiftly.