West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has conceded that young star Harley Reid "crossed the line too many times" on Sunday against Port Adelaide in what was a mixed performance for the Eagles sensation.
Reid conceded six free kicks in the loss to the Power, with some of those infringements coming at crucial moments in the affair.
While Reid also received three of his own free kicks, his issue in garnering the ire of the umpires was again a headline in the wake of another West Coast loss.
McQualter confirmed he had spoken with Reid, who he believes plays with an ideal competitiveness, but admitted Sunday's performance was a step too far.
"I love the way he goes about it, and I'll say that continuously, because if you had all players be as competitive as he is then you're on the right track," the first-year coach said.
"But, he clearly crossed the line too many times tonight. I've had that chat with Harley already, he knows it.
"He's going to play up to that line every single week. That's where we want him, and we want it to be a dance with the line where he doesn't step over it."
Reid has conceded 52 free kicks against this year, eight more than any other player in the competition. He has won 29 free kicks, which is good for 18th overall in the AFL.
Outside of Reid's umpire attention, the former No.1 pick had a strong evening on both sides of possession, amassing 27 disposals, seven tackles, 11 contested possessions, seven clearances and a goal in the 26-point loss.
Meanwhile, the Eagles are likely to make at least one change for their Round 19 bout with Richmond.
Small forward Liam Ryan is expected to return to McQualter's side after being a late omission on Sunday due to soreness.
McQualter is expecting the premiership Eagle to be fit for this Saturday's affair between the two bottom sides, with Ryan likely needed in midfield given the number of Eagles onballers currently unavailable.
Recruit Jack Graham joined that list after receiving a four-game suspension for making a homophobic slur in last week's loss to GWS, with veteran Tim Kelly another who could come into the side after being dropped to the WAFL.
"We don't have a whole heap of experienced mids available," McQualter said.
"Tim is obviously one that has played a lot of midfield throughout his years, but there's not a lot (available) on our list unfortunately. Elliot (Yeo) is not available, Dom Sheed's not there, so part of it is just what we've got.
"We'll get great experience playing against other midfields in the AFL."
The Eagles could double their win tally for the year when they host the Tigers at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
