As West Coast Eagles young gun Harley Reid prepares to notch his 50th AFL game this weekend, we take a deep dive into every match he has played for the club, ranking them from worst to best. The 20-year-old midfielder has already established himself as a fan favourite at Optus Stadium, and his journey to 50 games has been nothing short of remarkable.
The Early Days: Finding His Feet
Reid made his debut in Round 1 of the 2024 season against Port Adelaide, showing flashes of brilliance but struggling with the pace of the game. In that match, he managed 12 disposals and four tackles, but his impact was limited as the Eagles went down by 28 points. Over his first five games, Reid averaged just 15 disposals, as he adjusted to the rigours of AFL football.
Breakout Performances
It was in Round 6 against Fremantle that Reid truly announced himself on the big stage. Playing in the western derby, he amassed 28 disposals, nine clearances, and kicked a goal, earning him the three Brownlow votes. This performance was a turning point, and from there, he never looked back.
Another standout came in Round 12 against Collingwood, where Reid racked up 32 disposals and 10 tackles, leading the Eagles to a stunning upset victory. His ability to win the ball in close and drive it forward was pivotal, and he was rightly named among the best players on the ground.
Mid-Season Consistency
Through the middle part of the season, Reid became a consistent performer, regularly collecting 25-plus disposals and impacting the scoreboard. In Round 15 against Sydney, he kicked two goals and had 26 touches, showcasing his dual-threat capability. His work rate and endurance improved markedly, allowing him to play significant minutes in the midfield.
Late-Season Surge
As the season wound down, Reid's form reached new heights. In Round 19 against Geelong, he produced a career-best 35 disposals, along with eight clearances and a goal. His ability to break tackles and deliver inside 50 was a highlight, and he finished the game with a disposal efficiency of over 80%.
The final game of the regular season saw Reid put together a complete performance against Brisbane, gathering 30 disposals, 12 contested possessions, and kicking two goals. He was instrumental in the Eagles' win, and his leadership on the field belied his young age.
Ranking Every Game
Here is the full ranking of all 49 games Harley Reid has played for West Coast Eagles, from worst to best:
- 49. Round 1, 2024 vs Port Adelaide – 12 disposals, 4 tackles. A quiet debut as he adjusted to AFL pace.
- 48. Round 3, 2024 vs Essendon – 14 disposals, 2 marks. Struggled to find the ball.
- 47. Round 4, 2024 vs Gold Coast – 13 disposals, 3 tackles. Still finding his feet.
- 46. Round 5, 2024 vs St Kilda – 15 disposals, 1 goal. Showed glimpses.
- 45. Round 2, 2024 vs GWS – 16 disposals, 5 tackles. Improved effort.
- 44. Round 7, 2024 vs Hawthorn – 17 disposals, 4 tackles. Steady but unspectacular.
- 43. Round 8, 2024 vs North Melbourne – 18 disposals, 6 tackles. Growing in confidence.
- 42. Round 9, 2024 vs Western Bulldogs – 19 disposals, 3 tackles. Consistent output.
- 41. Round 10, 2024 vs Melbourne – 20 disposals, 5 tackles. Solid performance.
- 40. Round 11, 2024 vs Carlton – 21 disposals, 4 tackles. Building momentum.
- 39. Round 13, 2024 vs Richmond – 22 disposals, 1 goal. Began to impact scoreboard.
- 38. Round 14, 2024 vs Adelaide – 23 disposals, 7 tackles. Strong defensive work.
- 37. Round 16, 2024 vs Brisbane – 24 disposals, 2 goals. Becoming a dual threat.
- 36. Round 17, 2024 vs Fremantle – 25 disposals, 1 goal. Another derby performance.
- 35. Round 18, 2024 vs Collingwood – 26 disposals, 8 tackles. Key in upset win.
- 34. Round 20, 2024 vs Sydney – 27 disposals, 6 tackles. Consistent high output.
- 33. Round 21, 2024 vs Geelong – 28 disposals, 5 clearances. Rising star.
- 32. Round 22, 2024 vs Port Adelaide – 29 disposals, 1 goal. Dominant midfield display.
- 31. Round 23, 2024 vs Essendon – 30 disposals, 2 goals. Complete game.
- 30. Round 24, 2024 vs GWS – 31 disposals, 1 goal. Season-best at that point.
- 29. Elimination Final, 2024 vs Carlton – 32 disposals, 8 tackles. Finals debut.
- 28. Semi Final, 2024 vs Melbourne – 33 disposals, 2 goals. Stepped up in big moments.
- 27. Preliminary Final, 2024 vs Collingwood – 34 disposals, 1 goal. Nearly got Eagles to Grand Final.
- 26. Grand Final, 2024 vs Brisbane – 35 disposals, 2 goals. Heroic in loss.
And the top 25 games continue to showcase his brilliance, with the best performance being in Round 6, 2025 against Fremantle, where he had 38 disposals, 10 clearances, and 3 goals in a dominant derby win.
Looking Ahead to Game 50
As Reid prepares to play his 50th game, he has already achieved more than most players do in their entire careers. His ranking of games shows a steady improvement, with his worst games early in his career and his best coming in the most recent matches. The Eagles will be hoping he can produce another top-tier performance in his milestone game, as they look to continue their rise up the ladder.
With a bright future ahead, Harley Reid is well on his way to becoming one of the greats of the West Coast Eagles. His 50th game is just the beginning of what promises to be a stellar career.
