A syndesmosis injury to West Coast's number one draft pick from 2023 has ruled out the precocious talent for the final month of what has been a disastrous campaign to date.
Andrew McQualter's first season at the helm has netted the Eagles just one win from 19 matches, while Reid has dealt with increased scrutiny over his on-field discipline, and overall performance.
Reid took to Instagram to announce his impending absence, offering Eagles faithful a glimmer of hope that he's to remain in the blue and gold, stating, 'we'll keep building together'.
Player agent extraordinaire Nick Gieschen is responsible for the Tongala native's contract negotiations, which have made headlines of late, after deals of varying lengths, and mouthwatering remuneration, have reportedly been tabled to his client.
Rumours that the explosive Reid would one day return to his home state of Victoria have dogged the young midfielder since well before his drafting, and with cashed-up clubs this side of the Nullarbor clamouring to procure his services, a decision appears imminent.
Essendon are one such club, but the authenticity of their interest has reportedly waned, after an asking price of up to $2 million a season, over the course of 10 years, was put to decision makers at Windy Hill.
"West Coast has a $24 million decision to make on Harley Reid."
@RalphyHeraldSun on one of this year's big AFL trade stories.đź“ş Watch #OnTheCouch on Ch. 504 or stream via @kayosports: https://t.co/HKflSjb3tB pic.twitter.com/oqY07N8VTc
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) July 28, 2025
The suite of deals the Eagles have put to their young star has divided public and pundit opinion, with questions over any team's ability to achieve the ultimate success with so much of their salary cap tied up in one player, arising. Should the Eagles accept the counteroffer Gieschen has put to them, his client stands to make $24 million, over the course of 11 years, with Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph reporting that Reid will formally request a trade if those terms are not met.
With Reid now out of opportunities to show he's worth such an investment, the struggling Eagles, and any other interested parties, must weigh up the body of work already put together, and the prodigious potential he boasts.
