Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
West Coast superstar Harley Reid admits he feels targeted at times by umpires, but has declared he will not change his physical approach to the way he plays the game.
Reid broke the record for the most free kicks conceded by any player in a home-and-away season since the AFL era began in 1990, coughing up 69 for the year. He also earned the most frees of any player this season with 58.
To cap the undisciplined year, the 21-year-old will be unavailable until round three of next season after he was handed a two-game suspension for a sling tackle on Jai Newcombe in the Eagles’ last game of 2026.
His treatment by the umpires led to the club approaching the AFL about the way he was officiated as they looked to get the best out of their young superstar.
Reid said while there were times he crossed the line, he felt there were others where he was hindered by the “WA tax”.
“At times, I felt like I would get targeted, in a way,” Reid said after claiming his maiden John Worsfold Medal on Friday night.
“It’s a tough one to look at, but the aggression I play with is something I’ve admired from afar watching others play the game.
“Nowdays, they’re trying to minimise it at times, and I guess I can cross the line at times.
“I play footy for the aggression and I love watching hard footballers go at it. It’s a bit frustrating the way they’re getting a bit soft, but the WA tax is getting me a little bit.”
Reid said while he did give away free kicks, his coach Andrew McQualter encouraged him to continue to play on the edge which made him one of the superstars of the game.
“There’s obviously a line you can’t cross and maybe I have at times,” he said.
“I do play my best footy at times when I am playing on the edge, so it is just trying to find that line when I am able to keep continuing to grow.”
