West Coast interim coach Jarrad Schofield says Harley Reid, Eagles played on the edge in western derby
West Coast interim coach Jarrad Schofield says he’s proud of teenager Harley Reid for playing tough footy while under the gun from Fremantle and their fans, having asked the Eagles to play on the edge.
Reid had a career-best performance in the Eagles’ 35-point western derby defeat to the Dockers, finishing with 29 disposals and 10 clearances.
The teenager also found himself at the centre of plenty of physical attention from the likes of Andy Brayshaw and dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe in an enthralling contest.
Fremantle fans let him know of their disapproval for the young man, loudly booing the No.1 draftee every time he touched the footy.
Schofield said alongside “big brother” Elliot Yeo, Reid didn’t take a backward step against the Dockers’ powerhouse midfield.
“For a 19-year-old to be getting booed, to be getting probably flexed and man-handled by a strong side – they’re concerned about him,” Schofield said.
For a 19-year-old to be getting booed, to be getting probably flexed and man-handled by a strong side – they’re concerned about him.
“I asked the players to play on the edge, he (Reid) was right on it.
“What he did in his game was just play the game, he didn’t get caught up in all the external noise and what was going on in the game.
“He just kept playing hard football and I’m really proud of his effort tonight.”
Schofield praised the work of Yeo as well for supporting the young star during the physical contest.
Camera IconHarley Reid and Elliot Yeo. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images
“Elliot Yeo makes us all walk taller, even myself and when he put his arm around Harley, it’s like big brother looking after little brother,” he said.
“And that’s why I thought Harley played the game the right way, played tough, didn’t get distracted, played on the edge and he had his big brother looking after him.
“As a midfield unit, there was some learnings and they probably got the better obviously at the end of the day collectively but a lot of positive signs and proud of what Harley did.”
The Eagles biggest concern out of the game will be a neck injury to Zane Trew, who was hospitalised after his head hit ruckman Bailey Williams in the opening bounce.
Trew was touted to tag eventual Glendinning-Allan medallist Caleb Serong before the incident, which threw a spanner into Schofield’s plans.
Camera IconWest Coast midfielder Zane Trew was hospitalised with a neck injury he sustained at the first bounce. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The Sunday Times
“It’s unfortunate for Zane, he’s had a few weeks playing and really was looking forward to the opportunity,” Schofield said.
“He was one that wouldn’t have taken a backward step to, so it’s unfortunate for him.
“We were excited to see what he could do because he’s really crafty, he’s got good, quick feet and there’s nothing better than playing against the good players.”
Schofield said the performance against Fremantle was not an aberration but had been there at times during the year when they’d been competitive.
Camera IconThe Eagles post-match. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos
“It’s been there all year and all we’ve done over the last few weeks is really give affirmation to what it looks like to be a really consistent side,” he said.
“All we did at the start of this week was be really accountable to it because we’ve had a tough two and a half years and we’ve had a season where we’ve shown really good football and we’ve had games where we’ve underperformed and no one’s shying away from that.
“They know what it looks like and tonight really showed. And that’s the challenge for us now, we have a six-day break, we roll into Gold Coast in front of our home crowd and that’s the challenge for us now.”
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