West Coast superstar Harley Reid has made a late return to the second half of his side’s clash with Collingwood after copping a succession of knocks across the first two quarters.
The rising Eagle did not join the rest of his teammates out on Optus Stadium ahead of the third term against the Magpies, instead undergoing some extra physical work in the change rooms.
In a testing first half against the Magpies, Reid received a knock which left him with a cork and also copped several blows to his right shoulder.
At the six-minute mark of the term, he returned to the field and promptly headed into their on-ball brigade, despite suggestions he would be used as a deep forward.
Even while looking well below his bullocking physical best, the 20-year-old managed to gather 11 disposals and win three clearances in the first half against the Magpies.
Despite the battles with his body, he has not escaped the attention of Collingwood’s Ed Allan, who is continuing to closely monitor him at centre bounces.
Speaking moments before the second half began, Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said their brains trust was “talking about” using Reid as a deep forward.
“He’s got a big corky and we’re doing a bit of work on it,” McQualter told Fox Footy.
“He might need to spend a bit of time up forward, if he has to.”
The Eagles headed into the main break trailing Collingwood by only six points, but surrendered the first two goals of the second half to WA’s Allan and Tim Membrey.
