‘Perfect’ Harley call that triggered $25m snubbing… and the Judd ‘template’ Eagles followed

West Coast fans have collectively given a huge sigh of relief on Tuesday evening, after emerging star Harley Reid put pen to paper to sign a two-year contract extension that will see him tied away until the end of 2028.

And on face value, it looks “the perfect contract” for all parties involved.

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Reid, whose initial deal when taken with Pick No.1 in the 2023 National Draft was three years long, was widely tipped to make a call on his future before the end of the upcoming trade period.

It comes after increasing speculation the 20-year-old could request a trade to Victoria, given the eye-watering contract offers informally tabled alongside West Coast’s lowly form.

“This is the perfect contract in my opinion to do,” AFL 360 host Gerard Whateley said on Tuesday night.

“It’s the one that in the modern landscape, gets looked over too much. It allows Harley to grow into the players that he’s going to be through years four and five. There’s heavy incentives — if he becomes the Eagles’ best player, he’ll earn $2 million during those years.

“And it allows West Coast to grow with him, and show him that they are worthy of his long-term commitment. For manager for player and for club, I personally salute this.”

Unconfirmed reports last month suggested St Kilda were willing to pay Reid $25m on a 12-year contract, one of many Victorian clubs who were at the ready to pounce should he want to ‘come home’.

Melbourne great Garry Lyon drew comparisons between Reid’s deal and Chris Judd, who played half a dozen seasons out west before returning to Victoria at the end of 2007.

“Ticks all around here. This is the Chris Judd template being deployed with Harley, and it’s a great template,” Lyon said.

“‘Juddy’ gave great service to the club, captained them to a premiership and then came back to Victoria. I’m not suggesting that Harley will come back, but it gives him the option to come back.

“This sees Harley through to five (years), and then as you say, they’ll make a decision with all the information in front of them.

Reid has been starved of senior experience around him, particularly in the midfield as the likes of Dom Sheed (injury/retirement) and Elliot Yeo (injury) failed to step foot on the field this season.

With Yeo still hopeful of playing in Round 1 next year and another full pre-season under the belt of finds like Tom McCarthy and Reuben Ginbey, Lyon added Reid will surely enjoy playing football out of Lathlain as the years go on.

“He will enjoy his football much more next year, one would hope. It’s a great sign for a team that’s been kicked in the head a bit the last few years,” said Lyon.

West Coast has made three changes to their list so far this off-season, with Jack Petruccelle, Loch Rawlinson and Callum Jamieson all delisted. Jeremy McGovern, Dom Sheed and Jayden Hunt have retired, with the former’s career ending for medical reasons.