With pick number one at the 2023 AFL Draft, West Coast Eagles selected Tongala’s Harley Reid in a historic moment for the young gun and the country town.
Years of being touted as Australia’s top football prospect were confirmed at Marvel Stadium on November 20, with the Blues wonder kid finally learning his fate.
The 18-year-old will begin his AFL career in Perth, plying his trade across the Nullarbor for the proud West Australian club.
Speaking after being announced as the Allen Aylett medallist, a new award for the number one draft pick, Reid admitted to being nervous as the selection was read out.
“The butterflies set a bit when it started there, but it’s a big relief, and good luck to the other boys tonight,” he said.
Reid paid tribute to those closest to him who had supported him throughout what had been a whirlwind year for the talented teenager.
“I was super grateful for the people around me and my friends and family, and my local club,” he said.
“I’ve got them on my jumper here, and my Bendigo Pioneers, I’m super grateful to have them.
“They’re all back home at the local club; they’ve got a great set-up there, and I appreciate all you guys, thanks for all the support. I couldn’t have done it without you — I love you all.”
Reid becomes the first player out of Tongala and NAB League club Bendigo Pioneers to be the number one selection of the AFL Draft, as well as the first Blue since Blake Campbell to leap into the top echelon of football, joining a raft of local talents in the process.
It caps off a remarkable journey that has seen him weave his way through country footy juniors, a 100-goal season, and some name-making performances at the national championships.
“(The hype) is another thing I haven’t really thought about too much,” Reid said.
“To be in the position I am, I’m just super grateful, and to be getting the opportunity to be invited on the first night is obviously huge.
“It’s good to look at the names of players who have gone in the draft from Bendigo (Pioneers); it’s something huge and something I really pride myself off. You see the names that have gone through like Selwood, Dusty Martin, Ollie Wines, like there’s a few big names there.”
But while he prepares for the next step, Reid will keep Tonny in mind.
“This is where it all started, really,” he said.
“You look around, there’s a lot of memories out here. It’s great to be part of the journey. I couldn’t ask (for more) being brought up in a small community town. I’m super grateful for that.
“I remember ‘parents vs kids’ out here, muddy days, running through the middle. Even just the journey of starting under-14s. When Saturday comes, there’s under-14s, 17s, seconds and seniors — that whole day of footy used to be my highlight for the week.
“You go through the whole week at school and all you look forward to is Saturday. Everyone’s involved, everyone talks to you, everyone’s equal. I have so many memories out here.”
It was a moment to savour for the town of Tongala.
While all eyes were on Marvel Stadium, 222km away, the Tongala faithful keenly awaited the news that Harley Reid was on his way to the AFL at a special community day.
A crowd of about 300 people gathered at the local clubrooms to hear Harley have his name called out at pick one, including members of the Reid clan, Tonny club members and general well-wishers.
In the lead-up to the draft, barbecues, jumping castles, a colour run and a water slide assisted by the Tongala Fire Brigade made for a relaxed family atmosphere, especially for the kids who had Reid’s face adorned on specially made T-shirts.
“There was probably nearly 300 people down in the end,” Tongala Football Netball Club president Daniel Cox said.
“There were a lot of kids with the colour run prior, but by the time the draft was on, the rooms were packed.
“It was well set up by the committee members, and obviously the community bank helped put it all on, which was nice of them.
“It was a good way to start off and keep the kids entertained while we prepared for 7pm.”
After hearing from Harley’s parents, Mark and Vanessa, on the coverage — with the room erupting in a cheer at a replay of Mark’s famous hanger against Rochester — a packed room waited with bated breath as AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon made his way to the dais at Marvel Stadium.
And at around 7.20pm, the call everyone had waited for arrived, with Reid confirmed to West Coast.
The cheer went up again back in Tongala, with Reid the first player from the club to take top honours at the draft.
“There’s always been hype over the last 24 months, and you never know until it happens,” Cox said.
“We assumed West Australia was where he would be going if he went number one. It was a good result.
“Obviously, a few went down with him to Melbourne, and we had about 10 or 12 Reids down at the rooms. It was brilliant.
“It was a good community event.”