Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Help Harley: The five midfielders West Coast should target
SEN • July 21st, 2025 1:58 pm
West Coast coach Andrew McQualter admitted that Harley Reid needs help.
The 20-year-old midfielder starred for the Eagles with 20 disposals in the first half of their eventual 49-point loss to Richmond on Saturday night.
After the game, McQualter said: “We’re aware that we have a 20-year-old carrying our midfield.
“We need help, (and) we’re going to work hard to give him help.”
With that in mind, Kane Cornes pondered the type of established players the Eagles could pursue in order to help protect the developing Reid.
“For this list you have to be of good character and you have to be able to play the Luke Parker type role,” Cornes said on SEN’s Fireball.
“He’s going to need some support because if he’s getting tagged every week, this is going to get tiresome for Harley Reid.
“I’ve been hard on him but I thought he was great, his performance was excellent.
“They’re going to need a couple of midfielders with experience to help. I’m thinking win-win for both clubs.”
Cornes put forward the names of five players in particular with co-host David King assessing each suggestion.
Jack Steele (St Kilda)
Cornes: “What about Jack Steele? Would that be a win-win for St Kilda and for West Coast?”
King: “You’ve still got to be able to do it. I think he (Steele) is fighting for survival.”
Cornes: “So, nothing left to give for Jack Steele?”
King: “Nothing left to give is a bit strong but he’s got a fight on his hands.”
Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide)
Cornes: “What about Ollie Wines? Win-win? Only 30 years of age, probably got two or three good years left in him.
“Big body, outstanding character, great trainer, good leader. Whether he wants to fly to Perth, I’m not sure.”
King: “Yep, don’t mind that. Big presence, big body.”
James Worpel (Hawthorn)
Cornes: “Worpel? He’s not going to cost you anything in terms of a pick.”
King: “He’s still playing some good footy.”
Cornes: “You can pay him an offer that he cannot refuse.
“The Eagles could afford to pay him $800,000. He’s not going to get that at Hawthorn.”
King: “He had nine clearances on the weekend, he was unreal.
“That’s a big yes. That’s your best one.”
Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
Cornes: “He’s a West Australian. He’s had some injury concerns with his body.
“Great character, good leader, and the go-home factor (wouldn’t be there).”
King: “They don’t need another one in rehab.”
Matt Crouch (Adelaide)
Cornes: “He’s going to play a lot of SANFL and get 40 touches there.”
Essendon’s Darcy Parish was suggested multiple times on the text machine.
Cornes: “Just the rehab room is the issue.”
Reid finished the loss to the Tigers with 27 disposals, seven inside 50s and six clearances.
The no.1 draft pick has collected the most clearances at the Eagles this year (71) while picking up the second most contested possessions (158), second most inside 50s (61), second most score involvements (79), second most tackles (65) and fourth most disposals (343).
