RETURNING for his first game in over a month, top AFL Draft prospect Harley Reid was a young man with plenty of eyes on him over the weekend. He skippered Vic Country in their first match of the 2023 Under 18 National Championships, and boy did he make a hot start to proceedings.

The highly touted midfielder-forward started out of the goalsquare and booted the game’s first three goals against South Australia, immediately bringing the contest to life. In a new series, we run through each of the key moments of what was the absolute definition of a purple patch, albeit short and sweet.

>> Scouting Notes: Vic Country vs. South Australia

BREAKDOWN

TIME PERIOD: Quarter 1, 0:00-8:45
STATS: 3 disposals (all kicks), 3 goals
ELAPSED SCORE: VC 0.0 (0) to 3.1 (19) | SA 0.0 (0) to 0.0 (0)

GOAL #1: 0:34
VC 1.0 (6) vs. SA 0.0 (0)

A repeat stoppage at the opening centre bounce saw Zane Duursma win the hard ball and flick it out to wingman Kobe Shipp, whose long clearing kick plugged high inside Vic Country’s attacking 50.

The looping bounce was fumbled by South Australian defender Will Patton, leaving Country’s Darcy Wilson to swoop on the loose ball and find Reid with a joe-the-goose handball.

With direct opponent Alex Holt sucked into the contest, Reid was left to sneak out the back unmarked and be gifted one of the easiest goals of his highlight-laden junior career.

In between…

Matched up by Holt, who had the job on Vic Metro livewire Nick Watson a week earlier, Reid was sure to let his opponents know about his opening goal. He seems to thrive on whatever lip and physicality comes his way, winning the day on most occasions.

GOAL #2: 3:17
VC 2.0 (12) vs. SA 0.0 (0)

It didn’t take long for Reid to get involved in the action again after his opening minute major. He applied strong defensive pressure on Will McCabe – albeit overzealous – at the 50m arc, and was involved when Country surged forward off a turnover.

Having slipped and fumbled the ball over for a throw-in deep in the pocket, Reid’s second goal was essentially a product of said stoppage.

His namesake, Archer Reid grabbed the ball from the ruck and snapped high towards the big sticks, where Harley was stationed one-out against Holt.

Reid was afforded a free kick in the jostle, which he converted via a left-foot snap around the corner and duly celebrated with a double-cobra. Three minutes, two kicks, two goals. Country were away.

In-between…

Looking dangerous in one-on-one situations, Reid was sure to drag Holt to the goalsquare as much as possible, and was afforded plenty of space in doing so. He would point where he wanted long entries to be directed, backing himself to come out on top. Alas, an opportunity arose after five more minutes.

GOAL #3: 8:45
VC 3.1 (19) vs. SA 0.0 (0)

Reid’s defensive pressure again played a hand in his third and final score, forcing a stoppage inside forward 50 which Duursma won a free kick at, and sent a set shot his way.

The 50m kick fell short in the goalsquare, where Michael Rudd and McCabe competed to get first hands on the ball. Both players fumbled within a split-second of each other, as the ball fell into Reid’s lap before a quick turn and snap.

Unfortunately for SA, Reid’s smarts and innate goal sense were not respected enough by his direct opponent, who failed to put an arm across as the play approached. Nine minutes, three kicks, three consecutive goals.

What happened next?

Vic Country went on to snare a fourth unanswered major through Lachlan Charleson, but SA hit back late in the first quarter through Jack Delean and Tyler Welsh (twice). Reid also had an opponent change to see out the term, with Bodie Ryan moving to him.

Ryan did a much better job of combating Reid both aerially and one-on-one, though that didn’t stop the Country captain from clunking a mark and having two more attempts on goal – albeit with both falling short from just inside 50.

Reid went on to shift into midfield during the third quarter, swapping with Duursma and getting aggressive at the contest. He was hardly prolific, but finished with a respectable 14 possessions (11 contested) and five clearances to go with those three goals.

What did we learn?

When it comes to Reid, not much in all honesty. Recruiters are already well aware of what he can do as the best talent in the country, and Vic Country coaches knew how dangerous he would be stationed one out inside 50.

It was a steady return from injury for Reid after looking like being one of his best games yet. He may have been slightly underdone with fewer recent football under his belt than most others afield, which explains the early peak and less profound impact once moved into midfield after half time.