Harley Reid hit with pointed message from West Coast captain after latest fine from AFL

West Coast co-captain Liam Duggan has encouraged Eagles young gun Harley Reid to keep playing his own way despite the 19-year-old being sanctioned for a fiery incident against Carlton. Reid's ill-discipline has already led to a suspension earlier in the season that means he's out of the running for the AFL's Rising Star award, and he was also slapped with a a $3125 fine for engaging in a melee/wrestle during the 65-point loss to Carlton.

The fine was larger than usual given it was the third offence for Reid this year after he was suspended for two games over a dangerous sling tackle on St Kilda's Darcy Wilson. The teen sensation was also slapped with two $1875 fines for careless contact with an umpire during the same game.

Reid has made a massive impression in his debut season and has quickly established himself as a feisty competitor whose combative nature has made him a fan favourite but also a target for opposition players and umpires alike. However, Duggan says the Eagles will encourage the 19-year-old to continue playing on the edge, if it helps bring out his best footy and is not detrimental to the team.

"I can't question the way Harley goes about his footy," Duggan said. "I think he plays the right way, and I think there's people coming after him too, and he's responded a couple of times. I keep encouraging him to play on the edge. It's not ill-discipline. We all love the way he plays. I'll stick by him."

Reid's aggressive approach to his footy can be largely summed up by a free kick count this season that currently stands at 40 for and 44 against the 19-year-old. In the round 21 fixture against the Gold Coast Suns a few weeks back, the No.1 draft pick gave away seven free kicks and didn't win one himself.

Many of the free kicks Reid has been giving away come from holding-the-ball infringements but that only goes to highlight his willingness to take on defenders with brutal fend-offs and audacious runs. Opponents have often been seen giving the midfielder a spray when they do catch him in possession and it's understandable that rival players would try and get the prodigious talent off his game in whatever way they can.

Duggan says his young teammate relishes those battles though and doesn't think he's being unfairly targeted by opponents or umpires. "I can see why teams are putting a little bit of extra time into him, but I think he enjoys it to a degree as well," Duggan said. "He's having a lot of fun out there. I don't think he's been unfairly targeted (by umpires or opponents)."

Kane Cornes questions some of Harley Reid's effort areas

The midfield gun has also come under the spotlight after criticism from interim West Coast coach Jarrod Schofield around his team's lack of effort in the loss to Carlton. The Eagles were looking for their third straight win against a team ravaged by injuries but were dominated in midfield by a Patrick Cripps-inspired Blues side.

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Schofield said certain individuals failed to perform the tasks they were set, with AFL pundit Kane Cornes suggesting the criticism was largely directed at Reid. The former Port Adelaide player highlighted a clip of Reid being left behind by Cripps as one example of an effort area that let the Eagles down.

"I suspect he is talking about Harley Reid," Cornes said on Footy on Nine about Schofield's swipe. "Look at how much distance Cripps puts on Reid just in that one couple of seconds piece of play. Incredibly difficult, I understand, but if he had tasked Harley Reid with that job...and we are guessing a little bit...but Cripps destroyed him yesterday and there was no accountability."

Cornes was told he has been hard on the 19-year-old star all year, but it didn't stop him pinpointing one more moment after he accused Reid of playing for free-kicks. "I didn't like this either. Playing for free-kicks...he is a highly talented player. I think my comments around Harley Reid have been justified. But it wasn't just the young players, it was the senior players that have got to take a lot of responsibility."

with AAP