As top draft prospect Harley Reid's future seems almost set as the No.1 overall pick in next month's National Draft, the teenager has spoken about his intentions of going to a club that has been struggling in recent years.
Reid had been linked to the Eagles, who hold Pick 1, after his performances at the junior level helped strengthen his position among this year's class. But over the course of the last year or so, rumours have followed him as to whether he wants to actually go to West Coast, especially after the Eagles suffered five losses by 100+ points this year.
It slowly came to light that Reid would have a lot of work and pressure cut out for him to try and lift a down-and-out Eagles side back into finals contention. However, the Eagles coach Adam Simpson quickly came to Reid's defence stating that it was unfair to have such conversations.
On Wednesday morning, Reid spoke on SEN Breakfast highlighting that not only were the talks about him not wanting to head west false, but rather stated that he wants the challenge of being at a club that is struggling before creating a long and successful career there.
"Well it's not true, it's amusing but you look to the people in your circle of trust and you know and they know what you said, your manager knows what you said even West Coast know that I didn't say it, it's a crazy trade period so who knows what's going to happen," he said.
"If it is West Coast or North, I would love to get in there and influence the team to turn them around and be part of the process that gets them back into finals footy
"I feel like I'd love to be part of a team that is probably not there at the moment and I would love to be part of their process to turn them around on a great, big career."
Reid also made it clear that he has intentions to be a 300+ game player for his first side, hoping to win at least one premiership during his playing career.
The 2023 National Draft will take place on November 20-21.
