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The Live Sport Bible is here!Crawford: Why Murphy Reid clears Harley
Connor Scanlon • May 9th, 2026 4:12 pm
The AFL world has been split between young guns Harley Reid and Murphy Reid, continuously debating who the better Reid is.
But Hawthorn legend Shane Crawford believes he has the answer.
The 1999 Brownlow Medallist declared the 19-year-old Docker as the best Reid in the competition, comparing Murphy to Pies veteran Steele Sidebottom, identifying the youngster’s elite disposal efficiency and intelligence as his greatest strength.
“I think Murphy Reid’s the best Reid,” Crawford declared on AFL Nation’s Friday Night Pre-Game.
“I just think at the moment with what Murphy Reid does with the ball and his efficiency, it's quite remarkable.
“Last year he played as a forward… He played his juniors through the middle, and we saw him during the (2025) finals, and towards the end of last season, work up towards the midfield and have real impact.
“Even watching (against Hawthorn), I'm like, ‘Oh s--t, he's got the ball again, this is not good’, because you just knew he was either going to hit a target or kick a goal.
“He's become like that Steele Sidebottom for Collingwood – just so reliable.”
Crawford even went as far to say that Murphy Reid is currently the best player to have come out of the 2024 draft.
A draft class which includes Sam Lalor, Jagga Smith, Levi Ashcroft and Finn O’Sullivan.
“Is he the best at the moment with what he's produced on the field out of that draft?” questioned Crawford.
“I think yes.”
Despite his current home being in Western Australia, the 182cm talent is a Melbourne-raised boy, completing his schooling at Caulfield Grammar School.
The Hawks legend believes all the Melbourne clubs should be doing everything they can to sign Murphy Reid, not Harley.
“If I'm any Melbourne team, I'm going after Murphy Reid,” exclaimed Crawford.
“I'm getting him back to Melbourne, and I'm getting him in my side, and I'm paying him really, really well.
“I know everyone talks about Harley Reid (but) Murphy Reid is the one you need to get back to your club.
“He's absolute class, and he's only in his second year. He’s a very special player.”
Murphy Reid is averaging 16.4 effective disposals, 6.7 score involvements, 5.6 ground ball gets, two clearances, and 1.7 shots at goal per game this season, and is locked in at Fremantle until at least the end of 2029.
