Speculation Harley Reid [OOC 2026]

[bzparkes]

Merrett as as professional as they come. No chance he 'falls off a cliff' at only 31.

Hobbs and Tsatas are still developing, it's not like we rely on them. Having two players turning 31/32 as your best mids is far more worrying. (kelly, yeo)

Two players kicked 19 goals, they only need one more to reach your target Kako looks pretty advanced for a kid too, but wont play every game.

We don't have as many holes as you think. Especially with Reid, the main needs would be a key forward, one more small forward and a key defender IF Zach Reid can't get over his injuries. Harley is the perfect fit for our midfield, and thanks to getting Kako as a NGA one of our extra first round picks is almost like a bonus, so I am happy to trade our picks out for Reid.

Harley's a perfect fit for every midfield.

If you don't have any decent key pillars you're going to struggle, no matter how good he is.

He isn't improving you from 11th to a flag. Nowhere near it.

 

[Lars27]

He is slow, can’t kick and has zero athleticism. Just another Ned McHenry

Out of the 5 first rounders I named Tsatas is clearly the worst. Cox is 2nd best and you ragged on him which says so much

No clue mate at all. Hobbs has half the athleticism as Tsatas. Cox has no position and still has the same body he had at 12 years old. He is by far the worst.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Harley's a perfect fit for every midfield.

If you don't have any decent key pillars you're going to struggle, no matter how good he is.

He isn't improving you from 11th to a flag. Nowhere near it.

I dunno. I can see Peter Wright kicking 58 goals this season and leading the team to the flag .

 

[Lars27]

Harley's a perfect fit for every midfield.

If you don't have any decent key pillars you're going to struggle, no matter how good he is.

He isn't improving you from 11th to a flag. Nowhere near it.

Yes he is a great fit for every midfield, but not everyy team SHOULD pay what he would cost. For instance if they already have big mids that are pretty good. Essendon have good smaller/outside mids, and are one of those teams where it makes sense to trade the farm for him.
Essendon's rebuild isn't complete. I am obviously not saying that Harley alone would win us a premiership, never said that.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

No clue mate at all. Hobbs has half the athleticism as Tsatas. Cox has no position and still has the same body he had at 12 years old. He is by far the worst.

Hobbs has more skill. Cox has more athleticism. You got 3 guys with 1 attribute of being a success. You got skill, you got athleticism and you got ball winning that Tsatas has

I’m taking skill and athleticism over the abilities Tsatas provides

 

[Le Archie]

Ah yes, the old "I got owned so I'll claim I was trolling" post.

If this is your interpretation of me ‘getting owned’ then I find this genuinely hilarious.

I’ve made a bunch of pretty innocuous facts about why Essendon will be right into this trade if it eventuates and if we he were to nominate us and all that’s happened is the WC posters are getting riled up at the prospect of losing probably you’re only good young talent which is fair enough.

I really didn’t care much about it before today but watching you guys squirm throughout the speculation is going to be pretty fun to watch this year.

Enjoy fellas!

 

[bzparkes]

Yes he is a great fit for every midfield, but not ever team SHOULD pay what he would cost for instance if they have big mids already that are pretty good. Essendon have good smaller/outside mids, and are one of those teams where it makes sense to trade the farm for him.
Essendon's rebuild isn't complete. I am obviously not saying that Harley alone would win us a premiership, never said that.

Then if it's not complete, why would you club consider setting themselves back by 2 drafts just to get him? He's the kind of player you wait for FA for, not blow the farm on.

 

[bzparkes]

If this is your interpretation of me ‘getting owned’ then I find this genuinely hilarious.

I’ve made a bunch of pretty innocuous facts about why Essendon will be right into this trade if it eventuates and if we he were to nominate us and all that’s happened is the WC posters are getting riled up at the prospect of losing probably you’re only good young talent which is fair enough.

I really didn’t care much about it before today but watching you guys squirm throughout the speculation is going to be pretty fun to watch this year.

Enjoy fellas!

1 - He's not our 'only' good young talent. Oppo fans just are ignorant as to the state of our list.
2 - Your posts reek of hoium. Reid would consider every Vic club if he were to consider going home. Essendon's no more special than any of the others, despite Tom Morris' article.

 

[Le Archie]

You said that adding one of the best mids in the comp the eagles midfield would be a good excuse for Reid to leave. Tell me how that makes sense, because to every other person it doesnt make even the tiniest bit of sense.

How does adding Warner make the Eagles a lesser option for Reid??

Because it’s not about WC or your prospects.

It’s pretty widely regarded industry wide that Harley will end up back in Victoria at some stage whether that’s sooner or later is very much to be confirmed.

It’s about the kid wanting to get home which is the only reason he’s going to leave and bringing in a big name recruit from another team might be the best opportunity for Harley and his management team to try and get him out early if that’s what he wants to do.

It makes sense because it gives WC a PR story for their fans that they didn’t just lose Reid for draft picks, you brought in another superstar. It also allows WC to maximise the deal getting way overs a year out from being uncontracted which would allow you to keep a good draft hand and get Warner.

Really not rocket science here to understand but it’s all semantics, long way to go before any of this materialises if it does at all.

 

[Le Archie]

1 - He's not our 'only' good young talent. Oppo fans just are ignorant as to the state of our list.
2 - Your posts reek of hoium. Reid would consider every Vic club if he were to consider going home. Essendon's no more special than any of the others, despite Tom Morris' article.

No idea what hoium is but again keep biting mate. This is hilarious.

 

[bzparkes]

Because it’s not about WC or your prospects.

It’s pretty widely regarded industry wide that Harley will end up back in Victoria at some stage whether that’s sooner or later is very much to be confirmed.

It’s about the kid wanting to get home which is the only reason he’s going to leave and bringing in a big name recruit from another team might be the best opportunity for Harley and his management team to try and get him out early if that’s what he wants to do.

It makes sense because it gives WC a PR story for their fans that they didn’t just lose Reid for draft picks, you brought in another superstar. It also allows WC to maximise the deal getting way overs a year out from being uncontracted which would allow you to keep a good draft hand and get Warner.

Really not rocket science here to understand but it’s all semantics, long way to go before any of this materialises if it does at all.

Widely regarded by who? Vic journos desperate for a story?

 

[The Dark]

Why?

We can trade for Warner ourselves. Why would we give up Reid when it's likely Warner coming to WCE would make Reid more inclined to stay?

I get strong JHF vibes from Reid. Both are all but unstoppable on their day, but both have significant temperament issues.

Reid never recovered from the massive dummy spit against St Kilda and suspension.

West Coast also now have a rookie coach who lacks foundation in the club, similar to Noble.

If he's not going to be round for the next flag tilt, and I doubt he is, then cash him now and get someone who helps build the group.

Thing with Harley and JHF is they're both absolute rolled gold class finishing players.

They're who you go out and get to cap off a list, they're not guys you build around because they don't like losing nor do they like hard work.

If he's not going to commit long term to the build like a Sheezel, get players who will.

 

[bzparkes]

I get strong JHF vibes from Reid. Both are all but unstoppable on their day, but both have significant temperament issues.

Unlike JHF, Reid has very good support around him.

Reid never recovered from the massive dummy spit against St Kilda and suspension.

Yes he did but it's pretty unreasonable for a first year player to ace a full season.

West Coast also now have a rookie coach who lacks foundation in the club, similar to Noble.

McQualter has been coaching for 10+ and did better during his interim stint than head coach Yze. Also won more games during that stretch than Noble did in his entire tenure.

We also have Worsfold there to help guide him, if need be.

Very different situation.

If he's not going to be round for the next flag tilt, and I doubt he is, then cash him now and get someone who helps build the group.

That's a ridiculous line, unless you're a fortune teller who's incredibly accurate?

Thing with Harley and JHF is they're both absolute rolled gold class finishing players.

They're who you go out and get to cap off a list, they're not guys you build around because they don't like losing nor do they like hard work.

If he's not going to commit long term to the build like a Sheezel, get players who will.

He just completed his first year.

When did Sheezel sign his contract again? Oh, that's right. In his second season...

 

[The Dark]

1 - He's not our 'only' good young talent. Oppo fans just are ignorant as to the state of our list.
2 - Your posts reek of hoium. Reid would consider every Vic club if he were to consider going home. Essendon's no more special than any of the others, despite Tom Morris' article.

Essendon have more cap room than Collingwood. Same with Carlton.

Richmond are at completely the wrong end of the cycle. Hawthorn would work but I'm not sure Mitchell is about having a big star like that.

Essendon give him cash, the big games and exposure etc.

 

[Lars27]

Then if it's not complete, why would you club consider setting themselves back by 2 drafts just to get him? He's the kind of player you wait for FA for, not blow the farm on.

Like I said I think he completes our midfield and is the perfect fit. And the timing is right due to us having an extra 1st rounder and second rounder this year. Multiple teams could be looking for points for their academy players, so we might have three first rounders. If those picks are good enough, we won't have to trade picks from a second draft.

 

[bzparkes]

Essendon have more cap room than Collingwood. Same with Carlton.

Richmond are at completely the wrong end of the cycle. Hawthorn would work but I'm not sure Mitchell is about having a big star like that.

Essendon give him cash, the big games and exposure etc.

Essendon only get one big game a year. The rest is mostly played at Marvel.

He'll get the same cash, if not more, at WCE.

Not really sure what the appeal would be for him to move from WCE to Essendon, other than wanting to go back to Vic, which he's given no indication of wanting to do.

 

[Barrybran]

Id rather have Harley than those 6 tbh

Not even close either

Agreed. We're at a point now where any moves we make should improve our best 23.

 

[Lars27]

The 11 wins is the problem as opppsed to a good thing. This squad has little improvement left in it. Caddy in but gotta replace your best forward which is rough.

There just isn’t enough coming through. It’s the worst list of talls in the league. Ben McKay only one of AFL quality. Jones/Wright VFL level and Z.Reid hasn’t shown anything. I don’t think Reid is the fix or the problem. Having the worst set of KPPs is the problem. Gotta fix that well before you worry about Reid

I feel the same about WCE - not enough quality youth coming through (especially for a 5 win team) and many more important aging players compared to Essendon. Teams have won flags with mediocre talls, but not with a mediocre midfield.

 

[Barrybran]

I get strong JHF vibes from Reid. Both are all but unstoppable on their day, but both have significant temperament issues.

Reid never recovered from the massive dummy spit against St Kilda and suspension.

West Coast also now have a rookie coach who lacks foundation in the club, similar to Noble.

If he's not going to be round for the next flag tilt, and I doubt he is, then cash him now and get someone who helps build the group.

Thing with Harley and JHF is they're both absolute rolled gold class finishing players.

They're who you go out and get to cap off a list, they're not guys you build around because they don't like losing nor do they like hard work.

If he's not going to commit long term to the build like a Sheezel, get players who will.

He's got his girlfriend and dog in Perth now after living with his best mate last year. Still plenty of water to go under the bridge but I expect he'll extend at least once but will put it off as late as possible at his manager's insistence (who wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't).

 

[Barrybran]

I feel the same about WCE - not enough quality youth coming through (especially for a 5 win team) and many more important aging players compared to Essendon. Teams have won flags with mediocre talls, but not with a mediocre midfield.

Our entire 2025 WAFL team will be 21 and under and we'll have four first rounders in the next two years, a father-son and an NGA prospect or two coming through. That's all without Warner.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

I feel the same about WCE - not enough quality youth coming through (especially for a 5 win team) and many more important aging players compared to Essendon. Teams have won flags with mediocre talls, but not with a mediocre midfield.

Not the same at all. We improved our best 22. Essendon got worse over the off season.

We have a few ageing players but McGovern the only one that matters. Yeo too a little bit. Kelly/Sheed/Cripps just mean nothing to our list.

I think we got a long way to go. 5 years… but Essendon do too

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Essendon have more cap room than Collingwood. Same with Carlton.

Richmond are at completely the wrong end of the cycle. Hawthorn would work but I'm not sure Mitchell is about having a big star like that.

Essendon give him cash, the big games and exposure etc.

The big games and exposure ? Gotta be kidding.

 

[Lars27]

Not the same at all. We improved our best 22. Essendon got worse over the off season.

We have a few ageing players but McGovern the only one that matters. Yeo too a little bit. Kelly/Sheed/Cripps just mean nothing to our list.

I think we got a long way to go. 5 years… but Essendon do too

Rebuilds aren't done over one off season. We got an extra first rounder and second rounder for this years draft, so obviously improving our draft hand significantly can eventually improve the list. I am not that concerned about our best 22 now but more so in a couple of seasons. Stringer most likely would not of been around when we are at the point of playing finals anyways. Just like Mcgovern, Kelly, Cripps, Duggan, Yeo etc. (Barrass already gone too). You say many of those won't matter, but they finished quite high in your best and fairest, so we will see.

 

[Obeanie1]

If this is your interpretation of me ‘getting owned’ then I find this genuinely hilarious.

I’ve made a bunch of pretty innocuous facts about why Essendon will be right into this trade if it eventuates and if we he were to nominate us and all that’s happened is the WC posters are getting riled up at the prospect of losing probably you’re only good young talent which is fair enough.

I really didn’t care much about it before today but watching you guys squirm throughout the speculation is going to be pretty fun to watch this year.

Enjoy fellas!

Do you enjoy being a douche?

Or are you still fishing?

 

[The Dark]

He's got his girlfriend and dog in Perth now after living with his best mate last year. Still plenty of water to go under the bridge but I expect he'll extend at least once but will put it off as late as possible at his manager's insistence (who wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't).

Has Yasmin moved over? Didn't know that. Isn't she playing for Carlton still