How Harley Reid copes with the hype of being WA's most famous sportsman
Harley Reid was in the spotlight even before he was an AFL player and now, at the ripe old age of 21, the Geoff Christian medallist is still the centre of attention everywhere he goes.
Harley Reid, the 21-year-old midfielder for West Coast Eagles, has become the state's most famous sportsman in Western Australia even before establishing himself in the AFL. Since his debut in 2024, the intense hype surrounding him has been unprecedented. The Perth-based newspaper featured Reid 25 times on its back page before he had even played a single game.
Reid acknowledges the pressure but remains focused on his preparation and mental state. He credits his best season to diligent preparation and maintaining his mental well-being. Reid's controversial behavior on the field, including giving away more free kicks than any other player and holding the record for the most conceded in a season, has also attracted negative attention.
Despite the challenges, Reid remains committed to his team's success and aims to lead the Eagles to the top of the AFL.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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