Harley Reid's ringing endorsement of top coaching contender to win West Coast Eagles job

West Coast star Harley Reid believes interim coach Jarrad Schofield can lead the club to great things following back-to-back wins over Gold Coast and North Melbourne. Adam Simpson's departure five weeks ago has left a huge hole at the club to fill, with West Coast desperate to find the right head coach for next season but having little luck so far.

Essendon assistant Daniel Giansiracusa was the latest to withdraw his name from consideration on Thursday, with the former Western Bulldogs champion stating that he wanted to stay in Victoria for family reasons. While Sydney Swans' Dean Cox, Port Adelaide’s Josh Carr, Fremantle’s Jaymie Graham, former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and Carlton assistant coach Ashley Hansen have all also stated they are not interested in the Eagles job.

So with several top prospects turning down the opportunity and with West Coast finding some late-season form, Schofield appears to be in pole position to get the nod for next year. However, the man who took the reins at Richmond after Damien Hardwick’s sudden departure, Andrew McQualter, Brett Montgomery and Western Bulldogs assistant Brendon Lade are all reportedly in the running for the job.

Harley Reid backs Jarrad Schofield for Eagles coaching job

Whoever is named the full-time West Coast coach for next season has a big job ahead of them with helping to nurture a young side full of potential stars a priority. Another main focus will be appointing a coach who fills superstar No.1 draft pick Reid with faith in the club's direction as the Eagles look to tie him down on a new deal sooner rather than later.

And as more names come and go from the list of potential candidates, Reid has endorsed Schofield, stating he is the best man for the job. Since taking over five weeks ago from Simpson, Schofield has shown that he can build something special at West Coast and his blue-collar coaching style has won over Reid. “I was lucky enough to create a relationship with him as soon as I got to the club having him as the midfield coach,” Reid told The West Australian.

“He’s tough with the decisions he makes. He wants us to play on the edge and he’s got that grit about him. He's had some great experience in his past coaching career and obviously his footy life too.

“To have another view, another coach coming in and seeing the way they go about it. No game plan has changed with Simmo, it was all similar. It’s the difference between the voice and the chat; they’ve got two great perspectives and different views of the footy world. Schoey has been huge on us to play on the edge and play to win. I think that’s a mentality we have — to play to win, hard work and play consistent footy for four quarters because I think our best footy can match it against anyone in the league.”

Reid has been in fine form in recent weeks as the Eagles have found some real form in the back end of 2024. West Coast are going for three wins on the bounce this weekend as they welcome an injury-hit Carlton on Sunday in Perth.