STRENGTHS:

+ Class
+ Decision making
+ Handballing
+ Poise
+ Running capacity
+ Scoreboard impact

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Explosive speed
- Size

Reid is an incredibly poised user of the ball, proving efficient in both his decision making and execution. While not blessed with explosive speed, he is fleet of thought and can either use deft feints to relieve pressure or find teammates with creative disposal by hand and foot. He simply plays at a different tempo to others, and has some of the sharpest skills going around. Few can match him for impact per possession.

Along with sound fundamentals, Reid's ease in finding possessions comes on the back of a strong running base. He can rack up the ball both at and away from the contest, leaning on an enormous footy IQ to work into the right spots and hurt the opposition during attacking phases. It was a theme throughout Sandringham's engine room this year - players who could manufacture clean stoppage exits and punish sides on the spread.

Being reliable from week to week and impacting games consistently are factors which make top five prospects safe selections. Reid does both. He fulfilled team roles up forward and on the wing among high quality squads, but also took his chance when utilised as a midfielder to showcase his dependability. His only Coates Talent League performance under 21 disposals was the Grand Final, which he exited in the third quarter.

Only compounding Reid's hurt factor is his ability to hit the scoreboard prolifically. He bagged goals in six of nine outings for Sandringham this season, while also averaging a goal per game with Vic Metro. Among his best hauls were back-to-back efforts of three in Wildcard Round and the quarter finals, along with an identical haul against SA in the National Championships. He also had 25 disposals or more in each of those games.

Reid did well later in the season to add some run-and-carry to his game, venturing on forays which connected the field. His leg speed is not quite elite, though he nearly pipped the three-second mark for the preseason 20-metre sprint. Adding an element of explosiveness and strength is perhaps the bridge between translating his game as a full-time midfielder at the top level. Still, Reid's junior exploits in said role have been exemplary.

Another element Reid can look to enhance is his defensive output. He thrives with ball in hand, and more defensive minded midfielders will allow his strengths to shine, but he can certainly chase, transition and tackle with more intent. That, and his toned down tempo are part of the reason why perhaps he'll have to establish himself outside of the on-ball group at the elite level.