West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has revealed that injured star player Harley Reid has returned home for the initial stages of his recovery from an ankle issue.

Reid was sidelined for the remainder of 2025 with a syndesmosis injury after his ankle got caught up in a tackle in last week's Derby against Fremantle.

The 20-year-old was seen in a moon boot and has taken the opportunity to head back to Victoria to see friends and family.

McQualter noted this was a normal process for Eagles players, with the club in "support" of the decision.

"We do that with all of our players. Harley's not going to play again this season, and this week of rehab is not going to be much," McQualter said.

"He's in a moon boot still, so when you get an opportunity to send players back to their home states, we always support that.

"'Harls' is in that position. Bo Allan went back to his home in Mandurah when he hurt his ankle last week, so that's common practice for us, and we support it.

"It won't be for the rest of the season, so he'll come back next week and start his rehab process."

It comes as Reid is weighing up his future beyond 2026, when his first AFL contract is set to expire.

When entering the competition, the Pick 1 was automatically handed a three-year deal, but has been fielding interest from the rest of the league as one of the emerging stars of the AFL.

However, it is understood that one interested party, Essendon, has reportedly been blown out of the water by Reid's management counteroffer of $24 million over 11 years.

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