Harley Reid has swiftly caught attention at West Coast, yet coach Adam Simpson aims to temper expectations surrounding the talented young player.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson has taken steps to moderate expectations regarding highly sought-after No.1 draft pick Harley Reid. He stated it’s improbable that the talented teenager would feature in every game this season, emphasizing the club’s intention to carefully manage his workload during his debut season.

The buzz surrounding Reid this offseason has escalated significantly as the 18-year-old demonstrates exceptional training standards for a newcomer. This has provided Eagles fans with a source of optimism following two seasons that yielded just five wins combined.

Simpson mentioned that the composed teenager was handling the pressure and expectations admirably, noting his remarkable advancement in professionalism and performance since joining the Eagles last November.

However, due to Reid’s aggressive style as a contested ball-winner, the Eagles plan to manage him by introducing him to the top level as a half-back and providing necessary rest periods throughout the season.

“We’re about to embark on a minimum of 23 games, and to expect an 18-year-old to immediately excel as an inside midfielder, I think we need to proceed cautiously,” Simpson conveyed to AFL.com.au this week.

“We aim to give him exposure to playing in defense, midfield, and potentially forward positions down the line.”