Tongala native and West Coast Eagles star Harley Reid visited his former stomping ground Tongala Primary School to chat with students and catch up with his former teachers.
Upon arriving at the school on Tuesday, September 10, Reid was inundated by students who couldn’t help but smile ear to ear as they came face to face with their local hero.
Reid took the time to answer the students’ questions, responding to everything from his favourite goal celebration to who he is bringing with him to the 2024 Brownlow Medal count.
Reid was the most touted and hyped prospect in recent memory heading into the 2023 draft, where the West Coast Eagles selected him with the number one pick.
Since then, the 19-year-old has had a whirlwind season out west, picking up an AFL Rising Star nomination, a NAB Goal of the Year nomination and winning the AFL Players Association’s best first year player at the 2024 AFL Awards.
If he does win the NAB Goal of the Year award, presented on Brownlow night, he will receive $50,000 and Tongala Football Club will receive $10,000 as his junior football club.
Reid was thrilled to return to his home town in the off-season, particularly to take a break from the intense media attention he receives in Perth and the fast-paced lifestyle of living in a city.
“(Being in Tongala) is a lot better than being in a massive bubble over in Perth. The external noise there is a lot different than being at home,” he said.
“It’s good to have a break and get away from the go-go life.”
He also wanted to thank Tongala and the surrounding areas for their support as he navigated the AFL and felt honoured to be viewed as an inspiration to young people in the region.
“It’s been great to come back to an environment where I grew up, and it’s good to see all of the support from Tongala throughout my first year,” he said.
“It’s pretty humbling to be in a position where these students look up to you, and, for me, I was their age not too long ago as well, so I just want to do what I can to give back and thank them for all their support.”
When asked what his main nuggets of wisdom for the next generation were, he emphasised that loving what you do and who you do it with wer the most important keys to success.
“The enjoyment aspect of anything you do is huge and the relationships you build along the way are important,” he said.
“From a footy perspective, as soon as I got drafted, I told myself that the game doesn’t know how old you are. I think that’s something I keep in mind as I go through my career.”
All eyes will be on Reid heading into the 2025 AFL season as he looks to further cement himself as the cornerstone of an Eagles franchise hoping to contend in the future.