Matthew Lloyd suggests that West Coast may want to consider trading number one draft pick Harley Reid if there are doubts about his long-term commitment to the club. Despite being contracted until the end of 2026, Reid could attract a lucrative offer of over $2 million a season to return to a Victorian team. Lloyd believes West Coast should weigh the difficult decision to trade Reid for a significant return, given the club’s current struggles.
Lloyd expressed his hope that Reid stays with West Coast for the long haul. However, he cautions that if the club senses any reluctance from Reid to continue, it might be wise to capitalise on his trade value rather than risk losing him for nothing when his contract expires. Given West Coast’s poor performance this season, sitting at 0-8, Lloyd argues that Reid’s showing has not significantly impacted the team’s fortunes.
In his comments on Nine’s Footy Classified, Lloyd acknowledged Reid’s potential but noted that he has not delivered his best performance, mentioning that he appeared unfit when returning for pre-season training. He argued that, as it stands, Reid is not a player around whom West Coast should be building their future.
West Coast will have an opportunity to turn their season around when they take on Richmond at the MCG in round nine.