Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Fremantle defender Heath Chapman can’t help but marvel at the unique skill set of Murphy Reid, saying he knew the crafty playmaker was special from the teenager’s very first pre-season.
Reid won the Rising Star award last year mostly playing in attack, and he has taken his game to a new level in 2026 after being handed longer stints in the midfield.
The 19-year-old is averaging 24 disposals and two clearances per game this season, and has tallied 30 disposals and a goal in each of his past two games.
Against St Kilda last Friday night, Reid lit up the big stage with a whopping 14 score involvements.
Reid, who kicked four goals in the space of six minutes in his AFL debut against Geelong, will again be a key figure when Fremantle attempt to make it 11 wins on the trot in Saturday’s clash with Brisbane at the Gabba.
“You forget he’s in his second year because he’s got so much poise and confidence in how he plays,” Chapman said of Reid, who was a bargain pick at No.17 in the 2024 national draft.
“He’s a really special player, and goes out there and plays like a 100-game player with how composed he is.
“I reckon (I realised he was special) during the second practice match in his first year when he was thrown in the guts.
“He just started doing spins and breaking tackles, and for a small guy, it’s really special in the way he can drive his legs out of contests and create things out of not much really.”
While Reid provides the razzle-dazzle, key forward Josh Treacy has become somewhat of a spiritual leader at Fremantle with his sheer work rate.
Treacy worked himself to exhaustion during last week’s 30-point win over St Kilda, with his hard running on the lead and willingness to turn his body into a battering ram simply willing Fremantle over the line.
“He’s massive. He’s a big presence down there,” Chapman said.
“I don’t think there’s another big key forward in the comp that pressures how he does and imposes himself on the contest.”
Fremantle (10-1) are now rated as this year’s premiership favourites.
The Dockers are set to be boosted by the return of skipper Alex Pearce (knee) against Brisbane (6-5), but star midfielder Hayden Young (concussion) is no guarantee to return.
Brisbane’s bid for a three-peat is on shaky ground after they conceded a whopping 14 goals during the third quarter of last week’s shock 78-point loss to GWS.
