Adam Simpson explains Harley Reid role after mid-match move raises eyebrows

West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson has praised youngster Harley Reid after the 18-year-old made his AFL debut in his team's 50-point loss to Port Adelaide. Reid is a highly talented youngster with the No.1 draft pick getting involved with 16 disposals, five clearances and four inside-50s on debut under limited minutes.

The teenager also had a hand in a goal-scoring chain in the first quarter. And despite the loss for the Eagles, there was plenty of hype around Reid after showcasing glimpses of his talent against a strong Port Adelaide midfield.

"It's a lot of attention on Harley throughout pre-season. He's probably used to it but I think he's at home when he's on the ground and playing footy," Eagles coach Simpson said. "He's a good kid. He's pretty resilient and I thought he was pretty good today. It looks like he picked up the pace of the game pretty well."

Many were surprised to see the deployment of Reid being 'pushed forward' out of the goalsquare. And Simpson admitted it was a deliberate tactic to help Reid adjust to the speed of the AFL.

"We just don't want to get too much information for Harley," he said of not overloading the 18-year-old in his debut season. "Going to the backline meetings, the centre bounce meeting, the midfield meeting – you don't want to cook him out. It's easy just to go play out of the goalsquare for five minutes."

Simpson was candid and admitted Reid wasn't close to the finished product and fans needed to be patient. "They (AFL debutants) are all not the finished product as well so as long as we just temper our expectations and know if they contribute and do enough to hold their spot, then we're pretty happy.

"It looks like he picked up the pace of the game pretty well. He's physically fine so he'll just pick up his endurance as he goes."

Port Adelaide midfield dominates West Coast

Port Adelaide's Connor Rozee and Zak Butters were tremendous in the home win. Rozee gathered 27 disposals and two goals. Butters was involved having also collected 27 touches and a goal. And this earned high-praise from coach Ken Hinkley.

"Zak and Connor both delivered ... 14 score involvements for Connor, 12 for Zak," Port coach Hinkley said. "I thought they went in arm-in-arm as they've done their entire time at Port Adelaide.

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"They have got a long, long way to go on their journey. But ultimately, as young leaders, they displayed football form first, and then leadership comes along with it, so good on them both." Port Adelaide overwhelmed the Eagles in the midfield with Jason Horne-Francis (20 disposals, two goals), Willem Drew (16 touches, two goals) and Ollie Wines (23 possessions) also adding to the barrage in the season-opener for both clubs.