'Give me a spell': AFL greats defend Harley Reid over gesture towards rival fans
Updated . First published at
Jimmy Bartel has leapt to the defence of Harley Reid after his cheeky reaction to some Brisbane Lions fans over the weekend.
The 19-year-old West Coast star flipped the bird towards the crowd after receiving a free kick in the side's loss against the reigning premiers on Sunday afternoon.
Reid was left down on the turf when a member of the crowd began calling out to him, prompting the youngster to raise his middle finger towards the stands.
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The No.1 draft pick from two years had yet to jump back to his feet when the patron raced downed the stairs and began waving a packet of tissues towards him.
Harley Reid reacts to a hostile member of the crowd. Nine
Oscar McInerney's late challenge resulted in West Coast receiving a free kick near the boundary time, but Reid's cheeky act could see him whacked with a fine by the AFL.
Asked about the incident post-match, Eagles coach Andrew McQualter admitted the act was simply "just a bit of fun" for the young midfielder.
"We try to bash the theatre out of this game sometimes, don't we?" he said.
"He's just having a bit of fun. Sometimes that's good for the game, I think."
Those sentiments were echoed by Bartel, who believes the teenager is still finding his feet on a consistent basis with the Eagles.
"He's 19 and we are constantly asking for an old head on young shoulders," the Geelong legend said on Nine's Footy Furnace.
"Give us a spell - he is just working out AFL football. He has shown he's got the ability and talent and he's shown he can be a match-winner.
"Do you know what happens with most 19-year-olds? You go like that [up and down]. It's difficult, playing against the reigning premiers on their home deck.
"You can't have all the same personalities in a football team. If you have 22 football dorks, you will never win a game. If you have 22 rogues and lads, you will never win."
Reid has had a rocky start to the 2025 season, having made a career-low 12 disposals while also coming under fire for several of his on-field behaviours.
Against the Lions, it appeared to be yet another tough battle for Reid as he failed to touch the ball in the opening quarter.
The pressure has continued to mount on the youngster, who is reportedly unhappy and has been linked with a trade away from West Coast.
But according to Essendon great James Hird, the external noise isn't helping matters.
Harley Reid of the Eagles. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"We could get a new TV channel just for Harley Reid, that's how much content he's producing," the former player and coach said.
"I know they are [interested], but it gets to a point. For me, he's 19 years old … he's got to play within a structure. If he steps out of line, bring him back in."
Reid has the support of his coach at the moment, despite the Eagles issues.
"I thought he competed hard. He had a bit of a quiet first quarter, but he just kept competing," McQualter said post-game.
"I thought he had some big influence on the game at different times today.
"Harley's still learning the game, he's still learning to be the best footballer he can be and the best teammate he can be and we're going to really support him."
