Speculation that one of the AFL’s hottest faves to be selected as the prized No.1 draft pick doesn’t want to join the Eagles has been kiboshed by his manager.
At just 17, the Victorian young gun has already being dubbed ‘the next Dustin Martin’.
Rumours had circled that Reid’s management had made it clear to prospective suitors – especially West Coast – that he was keen to stay in Victoria.
However, 7News sports reporter Anna Hay told Clairsy & Lisa that Reid’s manager, in a radio interview earlier on Friday morning, said that no one associated with Reid has said anything like this.
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Meanwhile, West Coast coach Adam Simpson has urged people to back off Reid, believing it was too much pressure for the player.
“Just leave the kid alone,” Simpson told reporters on Thursday.
“It’s a little bit unfair to be putting this much pressure on someone so young, albeit he’s a very talented player.
“I don’t think it’s fair to push him on this. I feel sorry for the situation because he’s got a big career ahead of him and (people) just need to back off a bit.”
West Coast are on a 15-match losing streak and will finish last on the ladder barring a big turnaround in the final six matches of the season.
The Eagles have won just three games since the start of last season and currently have a dire percentage of 48.8.
However Simpson pointed to West Coast’s strong on- and off-field history as a big reason players should want to join the club.
“One thing I do know about West Coast is their finals percentage is probably top three or four in the last 30 years,” Simpson said.
“(The Eagles have won) four premierships, they’re the most financially stable club in the country, and we’ve just ticked over 100,000 members.
“So it’s not the worst club to go to, and we don’t lose too many players once we get them.”
Simpson, the No.14 pick in the 1993 national draft who went on to notch 306 games with North Melbourne, said anyone who gets drafted has to be willing to go anywhere in the country.
“That’s the way the draft works,” he said.
“Of course you’ve got a preference to stay home.
“I didn’t want to get drafted to Brisbane in 1993. But I would have gone (if they had taken me two picks earlier). So it’s not a big issue.”
West Coast will be without McGovern (concussion) and Reuben Ginby (hamstring) for Saturday’s clash with Carlton at Marvel Stadium.
with AAP
