Melbourne-based clubs willing to make West Coast Eagle Harley Reid AFL’s highest paid player
West Coast sensation Harley Reid could be made the highest-paid player in the game in just his fourth season.
Reports out of the east coast suggest Melbourne-based clubs have indicated they would be willing to fork out $18 million across 10 years to lure the first-year star back to his home State.
It could mean the Eagles need to offer a single-season pay rise worth about $2 million if Reid was to extend his initial contract with the club for a fourth year.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The new structure to contracts for draftees brought in ahead of the 2023 draft locks Reid into set amounts, believed to start at around $130,000 in his first campaign and $300,000 in his second, with bonuses for his first three seasons.
However, West Coast can reward the 19-year-old with a fourth season at any amount the two parties agree on.
According to the Herald Sun, the Eagles are willing to pay Reid $1.5 million for a fourth season but may be forced to rethink if Victorian clubs are willing to throw their salary cap at the youngster.
Reid has indicated he is happy to wait to make a decision on his future, seeing as his value will only rise, while West Coast is working with his management on what the 19-year-old’s future looks like.
The midfielder will make his return from a two-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Sunday against Hawthorn.
The ban has already cost him, with Reid now ineligible for the Rising Star Award, which he was among the favourites to win, and the Brownlow Medal and any contractual bonuses those awards came with.
Reid spent a short stint in 2023 training with Essendon and playing for their VFL team, and there were strong reports that, ahead of the draft, he was eager to stay in his native state.
But he has since said he is enjoying his time in Perth and has indicated his growing passion for the club, celebrating goals by clutching at the Eagles crest on his jumper.
Just last week, he posed for a photo and got advice from West Coast champion and Brownlow medallist Ben Cousins.
