West Coast have swatted away rival AFL golf equipment’ presents for the No.1 draft choose, standing agency to take prodigious expertise Harley Reid with the highest choice.
Coming off 5 wins throughout the previous two seasons, the Eagles had toyed with the thought of buying and selling the sought-after choose for a number of high-end picks.
North Melbourne, Melbourne and Hawthorn all made bids for the highest choose – and entry to the extremely rated Reid.
However none may tempt West Coast, who flew cult determine Nic Naitanui to Melbourne to current Reid along with his new blue-and-yellow jumper – and the quantity 9 – at Marvel Stadium on Monday night time.
The 18-year-old midfielder is arguably the most-hyped draftee in historical past, seen by many recruiters as a generational expertise.
Earlier than the draft, Reid was compelled to defend himself amid hypothesis he was lower than completely satisfied to maneuver outdoors of Victoria.
However the Eagles are happy the younger star, who hails from the nation city of Tongala in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley area, doesn’t characterize a flight threat.
Reid is the third participant taken by West Coast with the No.1 choose at a draft and the primary this century.
The Eagles beforehand picked Drew Banfield (1992) and Michael Gardiner (1996) with the highest choice.
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© AAP
