Just for Laughs: Harley Reid Faces Potential Sanction Following Witty Comeback to Rowdy Spectator

The young West Coast Eagles player, Harley Reid, may have landed himself in a bit of trouble following an incident with an adversarial fan during a match on Sunday.

The 19-year-old rising star lost his cool after a collision with Brisbane Lions ruckman, Oscar McInerney, and found himself on the ground when an agitated supporter started to taunt him, prompting Reid to respond with a raised middle finger.

While he was still on the ground, the spectator dashed down the stairs, waving a packet of tissues at him.

“A bloke’s trying to offer him some tissues, seriously — it’s play on!” remarked Australian football legend Brad Johnson.

“(He was just reminding them) that he was the number one draft pick,” joked Fox Footy commentator Corbin Middlemas.

McInerney’s late play resulted in West Coast gaining a free kick near the boundary, but Reid’s playful gesture might result in him facing a fine.

When questioned about the incident after the match, coach Andrew McQualter suggested that Reid’s actions were merely “a bit of fun” on the part of the young midfielder.

“Sometimes, we try to take the excitement out of this game, don’t we?” he remarked.

“He’s just having a bit of fun. I think that’s sometimes beneficial for the game.”

Reid has experienced a challenging beginning to the 2025 season, recording a career-low 12 disposals and receiving criticism for various behaviours on the field.

In the match against the Lions, Reid had another rough outing, failing to register a touch in the first quarter.

However, he managed to turn things around, much to the dismay of the hostile crowd, finishing with 15 disposals, six tackles, and seven clearances.

Despite this, mistakes marred his performance, as he conceded seven free kicks.

“I thought he put in a solid effort. After a quiet start in the first quarter, he kept at it,” McQualter reflected on Reid’s display.

“He made a significant impact on the match at various points today.

“Harley’s still in the learning phase of his career, working hard to become the best player and teammate he can be, and we’ll provide him with the necessary support in that journey.”