As the AFL Fantasy and SuperCoach season approaches, it’s time to dive into the players who could shape your team’s success. Today we’re exploring Harley Reid, the West Coast Eagles midfielder who sits at number 50 in our 50 Most Relevant series heading into 2026.
Some of you might be questioning his inclusion. Fair enough. But there’s genuine reasons why Reid deserves a spot on your radar, and I’m going to walk you through exactly why.
Last season, Reid recorded an average of 66 in AFL Fantasy and 70 in SuperCoach. On the surface, those numbers aren’t going to make you rush to pick him. But context matters here.
He’s priced at $381,700 in SuperCoach and $700,000 flat in AFL Fantasy. That pricing creates an interesting dynamic. You’re not paying premium dollars for him, which means the expectation isn’t that he averages 100 plus out of the gate.
What caught my attention was his ceiling. He achieved a career high score of 117 in AFL Fantasy and 147 in SuperCoach against the Dockers. That’s not a fluke score. That’s a glimpse of what he’s capable of when everything clicks.
Yes, it was a down year overall. But flashes of brilliance throughout the season showed he possesses the skills to be elite at this level.
Reid’s stoppage work and ability to break free from tackles draws comparisons to some of the best midfielders in AFL history. Gary Ablett Jr. Nat Fyfe. Those types of comparisons don’t get thrown around lightly.
His game is powerful and explosive. When he gets his hands on the ball at stoppages, he has the strength to break tackles and the burst speed to create separation. That’s a rare combination and exactly the type of midfielder who can rack up AFL Fantasy points in bunches.
The issue last season wasn’t his talent. It was consistency. Some games he’d dominate. Others he’d disappear. For a young player in a struggling team, that’s not surprising. But it’s also not permanent.
Embed from Getty ImagesHere’s the reality. Reid’s fantasy scoring is directly tied to how West Coast performs as a team. If the Eagles are getting smashed every week and spending the majority of games defending, his opportunities to score dry up.
The return of players like Elliot Yeo could provide the necessary leadership and midfield support to help Reid find his footing. Yeo is a quality inside midfielder who can win his own ball and take pressure off the younger guys. That matters.
West Coast also made moves in the off-season to improve their list. They’re not going to contend for finals, but they should be more competitive than 2025. More competitiveness means more time with the ball. More time with the ball means more fantasy scoring opportunities for Reid.
With a fit preseason under his belt, Reid should slot into the midfield rotation more consistently. That consistency of role is crucial for fantasy purposes. You can’t score if you’re not getting midfield minutes.
Reid gets a favorable early season fixture, including games against Gold Coast and North Melbourne. Both teams gave up plenty of fantasy points to opposition midfielders last season.
Gold Coast in particular was the worst defensive team against midfielders, giving up an average of 103 points per game. North Melbourne wasn’t far behind. These are games where Reid can capitalise and post some early season tons to build value.
If he delivers in those matchups, his price rises quickly in SuperCoach. That creates trade value even if you don’t plan to hold him all season. In AFL Fantasy, he becomes a genuine hold if he can push his average into the high 70s or low 80s.
Given his performance history and potential upward trajectory, Reid presents value for fantasy managers looking to balance their rosters. He’s not a starting squad lock, but he’s an interesting mid tier option with genuine upside.
Here’s how I see him being used. You pick him in SuperCoach at $381,700, knowing you’re getting a player who could average 75 to 80 if things break right. That’s 8 to 10 points of value per game, which adds up quickly over the first month of the season.
In AFL Fantasy, the case is trickier at $700,000. You need to believe he can push towards 80 average to justify that price. I think he can, but it requires more faith in West Coast’s improvement as a team.
Either way, he’s not a set and forget premium. He’s a calculated risk with upside. If you’re building a squad that needs a point of difference, Reid provides exactly that.
Embed from Getty ImagesLet’s be honest about the risks. West Coast could struggle again. Reid could be inconsistent. His scoring could plateau in the 60s and never take the jump we’re forecasting.
He’s also young and still developing his tank. There will be games where he fades in the second half because he’s spent. That’s part of the development curve for young midfielders.
The other risk is role. If West Coast decides to play him forward more often or limit his midfield minutes, his scoring suffers. You’re banking on them committing to him as a primary midfielder, and that’s not guaranteed.
But here’s the thing. Risk is part of AFL Fantasy strategy. If you only pick safe options, you’re never getting ahead of the pack. Reid is the type of pick that could separate you from the competition if he hits
Harley Reid sits at number 50 in our 50 Most Relevant series, and for good reason. His talent is undeniable. His ceiling is high. His price creates opportunity for value.
Whether you decide to include him in your starting squad or keep him on your watchlist, Reid’s journey in 2026 will be worth following. West Coast is building something, and he’s at the centre of it. For AFL Fantasy and SuperCoach coaches looking for a point of difference with genuine upside, Harley Reid deserves serious consideration.