Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Harley Reid has been hailed for his toughness after battling through a corked quad to almost lead West Coast to victory over Collingwood.
Reid was left hobbled early in Sunday’s game following a heavy hit, with the star midfielder struggling to kick at times due to the pain.
But the 21-year-old bravely battled on, with his heroics in the clinches helping West Coast trim a 34-point deficit down to 10 points early in the final quarter.
Although Collingwood eventually prevailed by 19, Reid fought till the very end, putting his body on the line in a bid to lift his team to victory.
“He’s a tough bugger and he wanted to endure and keep pushing,” Eagles coach Andrew McQualer said of Reid after the 17.15 (117) to 15.8 (98) loss.
“He obviously got hindered pretty early, maybe even a couple of times, but his contest work was just amazing as the game went on.
“He probably lacked maybe a touch of power to be able to get out of the tackles today, or Collingwood tackled well.
“But his ability just to put himself in the spot over and over – we moved him forward in the last quarter and he looked pretty threatening at times as well.
“It was a huge step forward for the young man.”
Another major positive from the game for West Coast was the form of veteran Elliot Yeo.
From rounds 17 to 20, Yeo averaged just 10 disposals and 1.5 clearances in one of the worst four-game patches of his glittering career.
But the 32-year-old has bounced back with a bang over the past fortnight.
A week after tallying 22 disposals, five clearances and 10 tackles against Richmond, Yeo racked up 28 disposals, 11 clearances, nine score involvements, six tackles and a goal against Collingwood.
“He won (17) contested possessions – that’s what Yeo does so well,” McQualter said.
“He did play a bit more midfield today, which was great.
“We’re just going to continue to look for him to grow and link up a little bit more as well.”
West Coast’s ninth consecutive loss left them with a 4-17 record ahead of games against GWS and Hawthorn.
But although wins have been tough to come by this season, McQualter is adamant the growth shown by the side bodes well for the future.
