Expected AFL No.1 draft pick Harley Reid insists he is prepared to go anywhere to start his career, including interstate to West Coast.
The Eagles hold the coveted selection but North Melbourne and Hawthorn are among the clubs exploring trades up the order to secure Victorian Reid, widely considered the standout draft prospect.
Clubs will be wary of the “go-home factor” when selecting interstate prospects after South Australian Jason Horne-Francis, North Melbourne’s 2021 No.1 pick, requested a trade to Port Adelaide after just one season.
When asked if he’d be happy to go to Western Australia, Reid, who hails from the country town of Tongala, near Echuca, said: “Yeah … I’ll be happy anywhere.
“At this time, like there’s still a bit to play out.
“So what happens, happens – really haven’t thought too far ahead.
“Obviously, wherever I go, wherever it is, like even Melbourne’s gonna be a challenge for me to move.
“For 18 years I’ve been in a small country town and haven’t left my family so it’ll obviously be challenging even if I move to Melbourne.”
Reid didn’t take part in testing at the draft combine, due to a niggling knee injury, but spoke to “five or six” clubs.
He was confident the setback wouldn’t affect him come pre-season.
Harley Reid in action during the 2023 U18 Boys Championships. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Reid has spoken to former No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan about what awaits him on draft night on November 20.
“It’s obviously a huge honour to go pick one and I know a lot comes with it, as I’ve experienced,” Reid said.
“It’s not certain that I’ll go pick one yet but obviously it’s been in my mind to have that goal and I’ve really enjoyed every part of it.”
Key forward Jed Walter is a member of Gold Coast’s Academy, with the Suns destined to match any early bid on him.
Walter has already spoken with new Suns mentor Damien Hardwick.
“I’ve met him a couple of times – spoke to him again today, which was good,” he said.
“Obviously he’s an unreal coach – look at his resume, a three-time premiership coach.
“But it’s pretty exciting times for the Suns. I mean, they’ve always struggled a little bit but I think they’re finally about to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Inside midfielder Ryley Sanders is a part of North Melbourne’s Next Generation Academy – but if another club, as expected, bids on him inside the top 20, the Kangaroos cannot match it.
Sanders was potentially going to be part of the AFL’s assistance package to the Kangaroos but that didn’t eventuate.
The Tasmanian said he was “happy to go anywhere”.
© AAP
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