West Coast Eagles coach Andrew McQualter will seek clarification from the AFL over the way in which his star midfielder Harley Reid is officiated.
After a fiery, albeit one-sided Derby loss at the hands of cross-town rivals, the ladder-leading Fremantle Dockers, McQualter and his prodigy were left perplexed by many decisions made by those in fluoro.
The outing adds credence to growing concerns that the number one pick from the 2023 National Draft is subject to a different set of rules to most.
"I can't talk to it specifically, I'm not allowed to, but we will definitely look closely at it and look to get some clarity if we think there's some inconsistency in the way that Harley's been treated," McQualter said.
"We'll just work with the AFL. We'll go look at the tape and if we think there's something there that's worth asking, we'll do it."
Reid himself confronted the umpires at the conclusion of the first quarter, having given away two free kicks in the first stanza alone - one that was awarded downfield, resulting in a Fremantle major.
Of equal concern are the apparent free kicks that do not get paid in Reid's favour - a late bump from Sam Switkowski and a high tackle from Shai Bolton did not result in a blown whistle for the Bendigo Pioneers product.
Reid was also involved in a scrap with lippy American Mason Cox, appearing to paw at the lanky Yank's specs in the middle of a melee.
McQualter, speaking post-match, offered that he and his staff spoke to their star at the first change.
"We spoke to him about solutions. We just refocused him and I thought he did that well after quarter time," McQualter said.
"I thought he was our best ball winner. I think he had 12 clearances and 15 contested (possessions), almost double anyone else in our team. So I loved the way he went about it.
"He had a few challenges throughout the night as well, and we'll keep supporting him and working with him."
After a largely competitive three-week block for the rebuilding side, a fifth consecutive Derby loss - one that came in alarming fashion - brought the side back to earth.
A graphic gash sustained by emerging commodity Oliver Francou further soured the loss, with the group needing a refresh before a winnable game against Richmond next time out.
Oliver Francou left the field after this incident in the fourth term.#AFLFreoEagles pic.twitter.com/ASpfCxNRmT
— AFL (@AFL) July 24, 2026
It was a professional and commanding victory for Fremantle, headlined by Murphy Reid's historic Glendinning-Allan Medal performance. The headband-sporting hybrid midfielder-forward became the youngest player in the rivalry's 63 instalments to claim best-afield honours, as his side went four wins clear atop the ladder, albeit with one more game played than the second-placed Swans.
