He’s already produced a couple of Mark of the Week nominations – and now, Harley Reid has a Goal of the Year contender to go with them after a stunning running effort against Narrm (Melbourne).
Reid set Optus Stadium alight after roving a ruck tap at the defensive side of the centre bounce midway through the opening term and quickly hitting top gear as he streamed forward.
Unperturbed by the sight of one of the league’s best players in Christian Petracca on his tail, Reid took three bounces before setting sail from just inside the 50m arc.
His kick was true and the celebration was just as good, with the 19-year-old signalling to the crowd on the northern wing to get loud as the Eagles plotted an upset against the 2021 premiers.
It was the latest in a string of highlights through the first nine games of the No.1 draft pick’s career, including a flying goalsquare grab in the win over Fremantle and a double fend-off of two Essendon players a fortnight ago.
The home side booted four of the first six goals to get an early foothold in the match against the Demons, who suffered an early blow when Jake Lever spent time in the rooms after copping a leg to the head from Jack Darling.
Lever was subbed out late in the term with concussion concerns, with Taj Woewodin injected into the contest.