At Monday night’s Brownlow Medal ceremony, the Tongala Football Netball Club was handed a big boost, thanks to talismanic export Harley Reid.
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The 2023 number-one draft pick and West Coast Eagles star earned $10,000 for his community club after being awarded goal of the year.
“It’s been a hell of a year, and I’ve had such a great opportunity this year, and I’m enjoying my time,” Reid said at the event.
Reid’s rampaging run from a centre bounce in round 10 against Melbourne, leading to him slotting a running effort from the edge of forward 50, beat out two Nick Daicos majors to win the award.
It is the second straight year a first-year player has kicked goal of the year after Will Ashcroft accomplished the feat last year.
Reid himself will pick up a $50,000 payday from award sponsor NAB, while $10,000 will go to Tonny.
“Tongala Football Netball Club have obviously been a great support for me to this day, and I probably wouldn’t be here today without them, so I appreciate all the support they’ve shown,” Reid said.
Reid also reminisced about his impressive goal hauls at Tongala, kicking 20 in a game and 130 in a season with the Blues in the under-14s.
He also polled his first Brownlow votes at the ceremony, although he would have been ineligible to take the award due to his suspension in June.
Reid earned seven votes across four matches, including three in round 10, the game of his goal of the year strike.
He had 21 disposals, two goals and seven clearances in the contest.
Wins continued to be difficult to come by for West Coast in 2024, but the addition of Reid has renewed hopes of an Eagles resurgence in the coming years.
Reid has averaged 18.6 disposals at 72 per cent efficiency, 3.1 inside 50s, five clearances and two intercept possessions while kicking 10 goals in his 20 West Coast appearances.
Carlton ace Patrick Cripps won the Brownlow Medal with 45 votes, ahead of Daicos with 38.